Pick Your Pesto

July 13, 2022 Cooking Essentials

This classic, fresh-tasting sauce is typically made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil. Experiment with various greens, herbs, nuts, and cheese to find a flavorful and versatile sauce that you enjoy! Store extras in the fridge for later use.

1 – Base: Add 2 cups of greens as a base. Choose up to 3.

2 – Nuts or Seeds: Toast 1/3 cup of nuts or seeds in a dry skillet until lightly browned; let cool. Pulse in a food processor or blender until finely ground and incorporated into the base.

nuts for pesto — *For a creamy pesto, soak nuts in warm water for at least 4 hours. Drain before using.*

3 – Cheese: Add 1/2 cup of grated cheese, pulse in blender to combine.

pesto cheese — *If using nutritional yeast instead, add 2 to 3 tablespoons.*

4 – Seasoning: Add 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the following. Choose up to 3.

5 – Oil: Add 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil and blend until smooth.

To see variations and serving suggestions, download the Pick Your Pesto handout.