Best 4 How To Make Pesto Like An Italian Grandmother Recipes
In the heart of Italy, where culinary traditions have been passed down through generations, there's a recipe that holds a special place in the hearts of Italian grandmothers: pesto. This vibrant sauce, made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil, is a testament to the simplicity and beauty of Italian cuisine. Creating authentic pesto like an Italian grandmother is not just about following a recipe; it's about embracing the love and passion that goes into every ingredient and technique. With this guide, we'll take you on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of making pesto the way Italian grandmothers have mastered over time.
Let's cook with our recipes!
HOW TO MAKE PESTO LIKE AN ITALIAN GRANDMOTHER
A vibrant pesto recipe taught to me by my friend Francesca's mother who came to visit from Genoa, Italy. Made with hand-chopped basil, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil and pine nuts. The real deal.
Provided by Heidi Swanson
Categories Sauce
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Start chopping the garlic along with about 1/3 of the basil leaves. Once this is loosely chopped add more basil, chop some more, add the rest of the basil, chop some more. I scrape and chop, gather and chop. At this point the basil and garlic should be a very fine mince. Add about half the pine nuts, chop. Add the rest of the pine nuts, chop. Add half of the Parmesan, chop. Add the rest of the Parmesan, and chop. In the end you want a chop so fine that you can press all the ingredients into a basil "cake" - see the photo up above. Transfer the pesto "cake" to a small bowl (not much bigger than the cake).
- Cover the pesto "cake" with a bit of olive oil. It doesn't take much, just a few tablespoons. At this point, you can set the pesto aside, or place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. Just before serving, give the pesto a quick stir to incorporate some of the oil into the basil. Francesca's mom occasionally thins the pesto with a splash of pasta water for more coverage, but for our gnocchi this wasn't necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 65 kcal, Fat 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving
HOMEMADE PESTO
A fresh-tasting pesto that can easily be used alone on pasta, crostini, pizza; or add some to your favorite spaghetti sauce for a delicious special flavor! Use pine nuts, walnuts, or a combination of both.
Provided by Peggy
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place basil, Italian parsley, and garlic into a food processor, pulse several times to combine, and process until basil is finely chopped, about 30 seconds. Add pine nuts to basil mixture; process until finely chopped, 30 more seconds. Process Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into mixture until finely ground.
- Mix lemon juice into mixture with the machine running; slowly drizzle olive oil into pesto in the running machine until incorporated and pesto is thoroughly combined. Turn off machine and season pesto to taste with salt and black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.7 calories, Carbohydrate 5.4 g, Cholesterol 14.4 mg, Fat 35.8 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 14.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.9 g, Sodium 342.9 mg, Sugar 0.9 g
PESTO GENOVESE (AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BASIL PESTO)
An authentic Genoese pesto. It's straight from Italy and you won't find a better recipe! This calls for a spoonful of pecorino cheese, but you could also use all Parmesan in a pinch. To store in fridge for up to 1 month: place pesto in a jar, cover with olive oil, and top with a lid.
Provided by MadameDanielaMoscaToba
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Crush garlic using a mortar and pestle. Add pine nuts; crush with the garlic. Add basil leaves gradually, making circular movements with the pestle, until a smooth paste forms.
- Mix Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pecorino Romano cheese using a wooden spoon. Stir in olive oil until pesto is blended.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.4 g, Cholesterol 7.8 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 125.1 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
CLASSIC PESTO
This versatile pesto boasts a perfect basil flavor. Pair it with pasta and you've got a classic Italian dinner. -Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 10m
Yield 1 cup.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the basil, cheese, garlic and salt in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add nuts; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Store in an airtight container in the freezer up to 1 year.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 calories, Fat 19g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 152mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor. If you can't find fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
- Use a food processor or blender to make the pesto. This will help to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Add a little bit of water or olive oil to the pesto if it is too thick.
- Season the pesto to taste with salt and pepper.
- Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- You can also freeze the pesto for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Pesto is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is perfect for pasta, pizza, grilled meats, and vegetables. It can also be used as a dip or spread. With its fresh, herbaceous flavor, pesto is a great way to add a little bit of Italy to your next meal.
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