Pesto in Minutes! (aka Italian Heroin)

Pesto can be made in minutes and it's so versatile!  It's an instant flavour enhancer for pasta, pizza and crostini.  Five simple ingredients, one deliciously spectactular taste!  Italian Heroin, in my opinion. 

 

I think Pesto recipes are an individual thing.  Some people like it thick, almost like a spread.  Me?  I love when it has a runny but still thick consistency which, in my opinion, is easier to incorporate into a pasta and to use as a topping for other yummy things.

 

Make this and use it with my Pesto Tomato Pizza recipe.  Freeze the rest for those nights when you're too exhausted to make something complicated.  You'll be glad you did!  Mmmm. 

 

Here is what you'll need:

 

 

                                1/2 C olive oil*

                                1/2 C loosely packed basil

                                1/2 C+ 2 T parmesan (good quality, please!)

                                1/4 C pine nuts

                                1 very large or 2 med garlic cloves

 

                                * I like President's Choice olive oil.

                                   It has a lovely, fruity taste!

 

In a mini food processor/chopper,
add basil, pinenuts and garlic.
Whiz for about 40 seconds to get your pesto going.




It should look coarse like this
See how the first few ingredients are incorporated.

 

Add olive oil and cheese...



Whiz until it looks like this...

 

It should have some "runnability"!

And there you have it!  Pesto in minutes!
Fragrant basil, buttery pine nuts, robust garlic, fruity olive oil and the zesty tang of parmesan cheese!
Now you know why I call it Italian Heroin!
Put it on pasta, pizza, crostini. 
Eat it with a spoon... if you dare!