We had an abundance of basil in our garden this year. Our plants just exploded after all the Spring rains. There was just so much. One of my boys will go pluck the leaves off and eat it straight, like lettuce. But even with him snacking away, we just couldn’t use it up fast enough!
So I wanted to share one of my favorite ways to use up all that basil: Easy Homemade Pesto! This recipe is so simple to make. Just turn on your food processor or Blendtec and let it run for a few minutes and there you have it!
The trick to getting beautiful pesto is twofold. First you need fresh basil at it’s peak. I have made it before using the fresh basil from the grocery store and it always turns out better when I use the kind from my own garden. But even the fresh basil from the grocery store makes a better pesto than the jarred kind you can buy.
And the second trick to perfect pesto is a nice bottle of Olive Oil. You want an oil that has a rich flavor. I used OMAGGIO Limited Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You can find it at Sam’s Clubs for a limited time only (while quantities last!) I like this brand because is has a great balance of vibrant olive flavor and a moderate peppery finish. Plus is really affordable, $8.98 for a huge 754 ml bottle.
We love to spread this Easy Homemade Pesto on fresh bread. I also use it instead of pizza sauce on homemade pizza. My absolute favorite homemade pizza is pesto, grilled chicken, spinach and mushroom. So delicious! We also love to make Pesto Butter. Just add about 4 Tablespoons of butter to 3/4 cup of Pesto. Then spread it on grilled corn, sweet potatoes or just about anything else. So, so good!
- 4 cups fresh basil leaves (from about 3 large bunches)
- ½ cup OMAGGIO Limited Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 1 or 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino cheese (Romano, Sardo or other)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Combine basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic cloves and salt in a food processor or blender.
- Blend until smooth
- Stir in cheese.
- Add ½ inch of olive oil to the top and chill.
Now, before you make your own easy homemade pesto, do yourself a favor and grab a good bottle of olive oil. Your recipes will taste so much better. OMAGGIO Limited Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil will enhance your favorite dishes whether they are salads, bread dipping, drizzled on grilled meats and vegetables. You can even amaze your guests by pouring it on vanilla ice cream and fruits! Taste the difference of a superior authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It’s available in a 754ml bottle for $8.98 at select Sam’s Clubs for a limited time.
Many of my friends just use the generic olive oil in a plastic bottle they get from the grocery store. They have no idea what they are missing! So this holiday season I’m going to start giving olive oil as a hostess gift. Everyone takes the hostess a bottle wine. Be different this year and give OMAGGIO Limited Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil! This is also a great tip for people who aren’t big wine drinkers too!
This post was sponsored by OMAGGIO® and I was compensated to write it. Regardless, what I have written reflects my own opinion and experience. I hope you find it useful.
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