Fresh Pesto from Italy!

Its exciting when you help a friend in planning their trip and then they get you goodies :-)

That is exactly what happened when a friend of mine went to Italy recently. I was given a jar of fresh Pesto that came all the way from Riomaggiore. Pesto is one of my favorite Italian treata and the best part was that it was fresh from Italia!

Now not many people may know but Pesto is made in the Ligurian region of Italy. It is a thick sauce/chutney/dip that is made with fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts and lots and lots of Parmesan cheese. Yumm!

Pesto is used in a variety of cuisines in Italy such as pasta, gnocchi, soups, potato steaks, salads etc. I love having pesto as a dip with potato chips and when I am in a mood to eat healthy its eaten in my pasta or salad. Pesto is added on bruschetta as well.

Included below is a simple recipe and it is the way Mom makes it :)

Basil Pesto Recipe

Ingredients:

2-3 peeled garlic cloves

2 cups fresh basil leaves
50 grams pine nuts/walnuts
Salt to taste
50 grams extra virgin olive oil
50 grams parmesan cheese

Process:

Add the peeled garlic, basil, pine nuts, and salt in a food processor until finely chopped. Pour in the olive oil slowly as the mixture is churning. Add the mixture in a small bowl and mix some parmesan cheese (to your taste). Your pesto is ready!

This serving of pesto will serve about 4-6 people. Don't forget to refrigerate the pesto after making it and do drizzle a little olive oil on top before closing the jar. 

The picture below will give an idea how it should look like once you make it. So enjoy and let me know how it turns out to be J

Image taken from Google