Basil Pesto

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup (about 5 oz.) pine nuts
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Place basil, pine nuts and garlic in food processor bowl.
2. Process until almost a puree.
3. Add oil, Parmesan cheese and salt.  Process until mixture is well blended.
4. Toss with hot pasta, spread on grilled chicken or use as a sandwich spread.

Makes: 2 1/2 cups

TEST KITCHEN TIPS:

• Bright green pesto adds color and is a fresh, zesty compliment to grilled flank steak, corn, chicken or fish, and can be added to dressings or marinades.
• Create delicious pasta sauces, spreads for sandwiches and wraps, pizza sauces or mix into compound butters.
• Use a brush to spread pesto over freshly baked rolls or breads
• Add homemade pesto to a pretty jar as a hostess gift for your next summer cookout
• For a larger batch of pesto, multiply ingredients and use a food processor to blend until almost pureed
• Pesto is easy to customize— check out our recipes for Creamy Basil Pesto, Arugula Pesto, Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, and Traditional Basil Pesto
• Divide pesto sauce between two ice cube trays, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for pesto sauce any time you need it! When the pesto is frozen solid, pop the cubes out and place them in a resealable plastic freezer bag and label. Remove only the amount you need and store the rest for later use.