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–+ servings
A small white bowl full of bright green basil pesto resting on a tiled surface.

Small Batch Fresh Basil Pesto

Sara
A small batch recipe for fresh basil pesto with sweet basil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, lemon, and salt. Makes 1/3 cup.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 tbsp.
Calories 157 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup (packed full) Basil Leaves
  • 2 tbsp. Toasted Pine Nuts
  • 1 clove Garlic smashed
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil best quality
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese best quality
  • 1/2 tsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt plus more to taste

Instructions
 

  • Toast the Pine Nuts: 
    Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Spread 2 tbsp. Toasted Pine Nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and bake for 3-4 minutes. Carefully stir them around, then bake for another 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool before using.
    Stovetop: Heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp. Toasted Pine Nuts to the dry skillet and toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant. Transfer them to a plate to cool before blending.
  • Blend the First Ingredients. In the bowl of a mini food processor, combine 1 cup (packed full) Basil Leaves, 2 tbsp. Toasted Pine Nuts, and the smashed garlic clove.
  • Pulse to Combine. Place the lid on the bowl of the food processor, then pulse for about 30 seconds until the ingredients are broken down and combined, but still pretty chunky.
  • Add Olive Oil. Slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (usually there is a small hole in the lid of the food processor – slowly drizzle the olive oil into the well where this hole is, and it will slowly drip into the pesto and blend evenly). Note: You can also just leave the lid off at this point and slowly add the olive oil, too.
  • Add Parmesan Cheese, Lemon Juice, and Salt. Add 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 tsp. Fresh Lemon Juice, and 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt to the food processor. Pulse until just combined. (Don’t over mix it – you want it a little chunky.)

Notes

Feel free to swap the pine nuts with walnuts, almonds, or pecans, but toast them first!
Adjust any of the ingredients to fit your taste! (more lemon, more cheese, and/or more salt are good places to start.)
Don't overprocess the pesto - you want it a little chunky. :)
Make it Vegan by skipping the Parmesan, or using nutritional yeast instead.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbsp.Calories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 176mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 294IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 1mg
Keyword basil pesto, fresh pesto, sweet basil pesto
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