Kittencal's Perfect Pesto

Total Time: 1 min Preparation Time: 1 min

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (about 3 large bunches)
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts (or can use toasted walnuts, or use half each)
• 3 medium fresh garlic cloves
• 1/4-1/3 cup freshly grated grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (can use 1-1/2 teaspoons if desired)
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (optional, or use pinch cayenne pepper)

Recipe

• 1 combine the basil, olive oil, pine nuts and garlic cloves in a blender (or food processor).
• 2 blend until a paste form, stopping often to push down the basil.
• 3 add in the parmesan cheese and kosher salt; blend until smooth.
• 4 transfer to a bowl.
• 5 note to clean fresh basil leaves; swirl in a bowl of water then spin them very dry in a salad spinner.
• 6 if not using right away store the clean leaves in a sealed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel, the leaves should keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days.