Recipe News Desk !!! Pesto is a popular Italian sauce made with a combination of crushed garlic, European pine nuts, salt, basil, Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Pesto pasta is a popular dish, available in many restaurants. Did you know that you can make this fancy sauce at home as well? Let us give you tips on how to make and store it. Pesto originated in Genoa, Italy and is made by mixing basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, etc. It is believed that the word “pesto” actually comes from the Italian word “pastare”, which means “pound”. This sauce is also pounded in a mortar, hence the name of this sauce. This sauce is known for its green color and aromatic taste. It can also be used for pasta sandwiches, pizza and bread. The main ingredient used in it is basil. This makes the color of the sauce dark. Use only fresh basil to enhance the aroma and taste of the sauce.

Material:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (if pine nuts are not available, you can use cashews or almonds)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper (according to taste)

Method:

1. Firstly, lightly roast the pine nuts (or cashews/almonds) in a pan to bring out their flavour and aroma.

2. Now add fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor or mixer.

3. Mix it by adding olive oil little by little. Keep in mind that the mixture should neither be too thin nor too thick.

4. Now add salt and black pepper as per taste and mix again.

5. If you want your pesto a little thinner, you can add a little more olive oil to it.

6. Your fresh Pesto sauce It is ready. You can serve it over pasta, pizza, sandwiches or salad.

Tips:

• Pesto sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• You can also freeze pesto sauce if you want to store it for a longer period of time.
• In place of Parmesan cheese, you can also use other hard cheeses, such as Pecorino.

pesto has a refreshing taste and can be used in a variety of dishes.