Bright, fresh and full of basil, this pesto is different than most thanks to a cup of spinach and a few leaves of fresh mint. Pesto is one of the easiest things you can make from scratch and the results are always delicious! I think you will agree, this pesto brings out the best in any pasta, pizza crust or as a topping for a slice of crusty bread. It's easy to make in the food processor and is ready to serve in minutes.
It sure helps. I think it's the best way to create that perfect texture and that familiar consistency of pesto. In a pinch, it's possible to simply chop the ingredients really, really fine and combine with the olive oil. The end result will be more "clumpy" but the flavor will still be delicious.
Ingredients to have on hand
- fresh spinach
- fresh basil
- fresh mint
- pine nuts
- parmesan cheese
Substitute for Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are definitely on the spendy side, but fortunately, this recipe only needs ⅓ cup of the pricey little gems. I usually buy about two cups worth of pine nuts at a time - gulp- and keep them in the freezer until I'm ready to make this recipe. It doesn't make them any less expensive but that way I only deal with the sticker shock once in a while. Many store-bought pesto sauces include walnuts with the pine nuts so that is a nice option too, though adding walnuts does adjust the taste.
Other Sauces
Homemade pasta sauces are delicious and impressive to serve. Whether on pizza or pasta, here are some others that I think you'll love! Oh, and don't forget about a dipping oil for your bread on the side.
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Fresh Pesto
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint - about three large mint leaves
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground pepper to taste - or about ¼ teaspoon
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, except the olive oil in a food processor and blend until you get the ingredients chopped into very small pieces. Add the olive oil and blend again until smooth. Use with pasta, on pizza or as a spread on warm bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database and are offered here only as a guideline for informational purposes.
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