Description
Zesty lemon pesto brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate, blending fresh basil, tangy citrus, and rich parmesan. Drizzled over pasta or spread on crusty bread, you’ll savor this quick, elegant sauce that elevates simple ingredients into a gourmet experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
- 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid and Citrus Components:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (adjust as needed)
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of 1 large lemon
Instructions
- Carefully toast pine nuts or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, constantly stirring until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Place fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, cooled toasted nuts, minced garlic, freshly grated lemon zest, and lemon juice into a food processor.
- Pulse the ingredients until they form a coarse, textured mixture, ensuring no large chunks remain.
- With the food processor running, gradually stream olive oil into the mixture, creating a smooth and vibrant green sauce.
- Taste the pesto and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting flavors to preference.
- Give the mixture a final quick pulse to incorporate seasonings and achieve a consistent texture.
- Transfer pesto to a clean storage container, smoothing the top and creating a thin protective layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation.
- Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze in small portions for extended preservation, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
Notes
- Swap pine nuts with almonds or sunflower seeds for a budget-friendly or nut-free alternative that maintains the creamy texture.
- Toast nuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning, watching the skillet closely and stirring continuously.
- Adjust lemon quantity based on personal preference, adding more zest for brightness or less for a subtler citrus note.
- Use fresh basil leaves at room temperature to maximize flavor extraction and ensure smoother blending in the food processor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Toasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 92 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 3.7 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg