Pesto

Pesto

Ingredients/Components

• freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 c
• freshly ground black pepper to taste - 1 item
• good olive oil
• basil leaves, washed and dried
• Italian parsley leaves, washed and dried - 1/2 c
• to 6 cloves fresh garlic - 4 item
• pine nuts, walnuts or cashews - 1/2 c
• Romano cheese if desired - 1/4 c

How to make pesto:

Combine all but oil and cheeses in a food processor and process until smooth, adding olive oil gradually. Stir in cheeses and taste for balance and consistency, adding more cheese or olive oil and adjusting garlic to your taste. More olive oil is necessary to make a sauce for pasta, less for pesto to top crackers and cream cheese. Mix pesto with mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream for a dip. Pesto is wonderful swirled in tomato, vegetable or minestrone soup.

Recipe categories: Condiments, etc., Vegetables, Italian.