Basil pesto

Ingredients

Check items as you go.

• 4 cups fresh basil
• ⅓ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• ⅔ cup parmesan cheese

Method

1. Soak basil leaves in cold water for 1 hour

2. Place pine nuts, olive oil and garlic in a small blender or food processor. Pulse until mixture is a coarse paste. Shake most, but not all, of the water off 1 cup of basil leaves. Add to blender and pulse a few times. Repeat with remaining basil leaves, adding 1 cup at a time. Process, pulsing, until puréed and smooth

3. Add salt and pulse until smooth. Add the cheese and pulse just until blended. Do not over blend, as the sauce can separate

4. Place pesto in small bowl or jar. If preparing more than 30 minutes ahead, cover with a thin layer of oil