Small-batch basil pesto

by MASTER

Make a 1-cup batch of fresh basil pesto when you want a quick sauce or spread for pasta, toast, or vegetables.

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What's inside

Small-batch basil pesto

Make a 1-cup batch of fresh basil pesto when you want a quick sauce or spread for pasta, toast, or vegetables.

⏱ 15 min★ Easy

Target

Loose basil leaves, nuts, cheese, garlic, and oil are measured and ready but not combined into pesto.

Obstacle

If ingredients are not measured and toasted before blending, the texture can be uneven and the flavor muted. Keeping the processor from overheating while achieving a coarse but spreadable texture is the concrete challenge.

Expectation

A smooth, bright-green 1-cup pesto in an airtight jar, seasoned to taste and ready to store or use.

Materials

• Fresh basil leaves — 1 cup
• Pine nuts — 2 tablespoon
• Parmesan cheese — 2 tablespoon
• Garlic — 1 clove
• Extra-virgin olive oil — 1/4 cup
• Salt — 1/4 teaspoon
• Lemon juice (optional) — 1 teaspoon

Tools

• Food processor or small blender — 1
• Small skillet — 1
• Measuring cup and spoons — 1 set
• Spatula — 1
• Airtight jar — 1

Steps

01
Measure and prep ingredients
Strip basil leaves from stems and pack 1 cup, peel 1 garlic clove, grate 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and measure 2 tablespoons pine nuts and 1/4 cup oil.
⏱ 5 min
02
Toast pine nuts
Toast 2 tablespoons pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring until fragrant and lightly golden, then let cool.
⏱ 2 min
03
Pulse and combine
Add basil, garlic, toasted nuts, and cheese to the processor and pulse in 20–30 second bursts, scraping once, until the mixture clings together but still shows small bits (about 12–15 pulses, ~3 minutes).
⏱ 3 min
04
Season and adjust texture
Taste and add 1/4 teaspoon salt and up to 1 teaspoon lemon juice if desired, then stream oil 1 tablespoon at a time until the pesto reaches a spreadable consistency.
⏱ 2 min
05
Transfer to jar and clean up
Spoon pesto into an airtight jar, smooth the top and pour a thin film of oil to preserve, label and refrigerate; rinse processor parts and wipe counters.
⏱ 3 min