Go Back

Homemade Basil Pesto

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 /2 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup tightly packed fresh basil
  • 2 Tablespoons pine nuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 inch chopped garlic scapes optional
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons freshly grated Italian Parmesan or Pecorino

Instructions
 

  • Mix first 5 ingredients using food processor or stick blender.
  • Add cheese and pulse again until blended.
  • Refrigerate.

Notes

I used chopped garlic scapes because I had a bunch. If you aren't familiar, scapes are the flower shoots or stems of the garlic plant. They have a mild garlicky flavor—sort of a garlic flavored scallion. Feel free to omit this from the recipe, if you prefer.