Parsley Pesto
A fresh and flavorful twist on classic basil pesto using flat-leaf parsley, toasted pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. Parsley pesto is perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or dipping!
4 people
Ingredients
- 1 clove Garlic
- 2 cups Packed Flat Leaf Parsley Leaves rinsed & dried
- 1/4 cup Pine Nuts
- 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/8 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Pinch Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a small skillet over medium low heat, toast pine nuts until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally for even toasting.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a food processor, combine garlic, parsley, toasted pine nuts, parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the mixture forms a rough paste.
- With the processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil.
- Scrap down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and then keep blending until you get a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Notes
- Make sure to use flat leaf parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous flavor. Curly parsley can be bitter and less flavorful.
- After rinsing, pat the parsley completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. Excess water will dilute the pesto.
- Keep a close eye on your pine nuts when you're toasting them. They can go from golden to burnt in a flash.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese will give you a creamier, richer finish. Pre-shredded parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
- Use a good, high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Taste the pesto before serving. Every batch of pesto can be slightly different depending on the parsley and cheese. Add a bit more lemon juice, salt, or pepper at the end to balance the flavors.
- If you're storing it in the fridge, smooth the top of the pesto and pour a thin layer of olive oil over it to keep it fresh.
Nutrition
Calories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 3.9gProtein: 7.1gFat: 22.9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 270mgPotassium: 7.1mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1.3mg
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