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Pesto



I am not a fan of store bought pesto. Not because it's not fresh, or because it contains preservatives. I don't like it because of the cheese.

I don't like parmesan. There, it's heresy, but I've said it now. Give me fresh mozzarella, crumbly feta or even gorgonzola. But parmesan's just not my thing. Now pesto is a sauce hard to avoid if you like Italian, so I decided to make my own cheese-less version of the classic.

Drop a loosely packed cup of basil leaves and 2 chopped garlic cloves in a blender. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Now add a tbsp of pine nuts, another tbsp of olive oil and a pinch of coarse sea salt and blend again. But stop while your sauce is still grainy - remember that pesto is something you originally made with mortar & pestle so we aren't looking for smooth here.

Dip a spoon and dig in. If any of it survives beyond the first ten minutes, scrape it into an airtight container and leave it in the fridge. I've heard it lasts a few days; I am yet to see proof of it.
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Comments

Laura said…
I like Parm ok, bit I always sub in Asiago, which we love. I've never understood why Parm gets to be king automatically.

Now my issue, on the other hand, with pesto is the copious quantity of Italian (or American) basil. Which is weird since I can eat large amounts of Thai or purple basil.
March 28, 2009 at 6:43 AM
Siri said…
Wishing you a very Happy Ugadi :). Pesto is one thing I never buy from store, I don't like the after taste of it. :)

Cheers,
Siri
March 28, 2009 at 7:23 AM
Rachel said…
Wow that is neat although I like cheese in my pesto. I have a friend who makes pesto minus the cheese and stores them and prior to use she stirs the cheese in.
March 28, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Sunshinemom said…
I made this some time back too:), and they taste great cheeseless! I prefer the mortar and pestle way!
March 28, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Priya Suresh said…
Pesto i love this, i too prepare at home, i dont event buy from store...
March 28, 2009 at 1:33 PM
CurryLeaf said…
I love parmesan,so in that I do not agree with you.But I too do not buy pesto as I love the aroma of fresh basil and love it when ground,too good and I feel very mood enhancing.To be honest I add only little parmesan asI want pesto to be more basil-y and also give only a coarse grind as you say
March 28, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Srivalli said…
Happy New year wishes simran...that looks good..have never tried my hands with it...
March 29, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Bharti said…
Home made pesto is def. best. But yeah, gotta disagree on the cheese part.
March 29, 2009 at 9:04 AM
notyet100 said…
thats a nce recipe simran,..;-)
March 29, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Unknown said…
nice recipe i like pesto pasta yumm
March 30, 2009 at 9:35 AM
chef and her kitchen said…
even i prepare pesto at home...It stays for a good one week if enough olive oil is added...i have tried and tested it..:)
March 31, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Shaheen said…
I love pesto! Where do you buy your pine nuts from? They seem nice and plump.
April 9, 2009 at 7:26 PM
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