Basil pesto

Basil pesto

Recipe thanks to Justine from New Eden Herbs

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove
• Large bunch of fresh basil
• 1 handful of pine nuts
• 1 handful of freshly grated parmesan
• Good quality extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon (optional)

Method

Justine's hot tip for making basil is to slightly blanch the basil before blending. This will ensure that the pesto remains nice and green and stops it from going black.

• Separate basil leaves and very slightly blanch. Put aside to cool.
• Slightly toast pine nuts and put aside to cool.
• Peel garlic and chop.
• Using a food processor, blend garlic, pine nuts, basil leaves and parmesan.
• Add oil just enough to bind the sauce and get an oozy consistency.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add more oil or parmesan if needed to improve taste or consistency.
• Add a squeeze of lemon at the end to give it a little twang if you want to.