Basil Pesto Recipe

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Basil Pesto
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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup walnuts or 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 2 small garlic cloves (or 1 large 1)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

  1. In a food processor, combine all ingredients except the oil. Pulse until a thick paste forms. With processor on, add oil in a slow stream until mixture is well combined.
  2. Transfer to an airtight container. Press plastic wrap directly onto pesto (to keep basil from browning). Cover with lid; refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Divide into an ice cube tray, seal it tightly with plastic wrap and freeze. Later, pop out a cube or two as needed, defrost them in the microwave and use.
  3. Have it your way: Replace the nuts with unsalted roasted sunflower seeds, Nut allergies prepare the pesto without nuts and double the amount of Parmesan, Replace the basil with fresh cilantro or parsley (before transferring the pesto to a container, stir in 2 teaspoons lime juice).
  4. 1 sauce 7 uses: Toss in minestrone or lentil soup, add to marinara sauce, coat fish fillets with pesto then sprinkle with bread crumbs before baking or broiling, spread on a sandwiches, spoon onto grilled lamb or pork chops, brush on chicken breasts before roasting, or combine with boiled new potatoes, steamed greens or sauteed zucchini.
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Nutrition Facts

Per ServingPer 100 g
Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories 231.13 Kcal (968 kJ)
Calories from fat 221.32 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24.59g 38%
Cholesterol 2.2mg 1%
Sodium 136.16mg 6%
Potassium 68.18mg 1%
Total Carbs 1.42g 0%
Sugars 0.1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0.69g 3%
Protein 2.91g 6%
Vitamin C 1.9mg 3%
Iron 0.5mg 3%
Calcium 48.4mg 5%
Amount Per 100 g
Calories 601.31 Kcal (2518 kJ)
Calories from fat 575.78 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 63.98g 38%
Cholesterol 5.72mg 1%
Sodium 354.24mg 6%
Potassium 177.38mg 1%
Total Carbs 3.69g 0%
Sugars 0.27g 0%
Dietary Fiber 1.78g 3%
Protein 7.57g 6%
Vitamin C 4.9mg 3%
Iron 1.3mg 3%
Calcium 125.8mg 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

  • salty
  • savory
  • bitter
  • sweet
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Recipe Tags

Weightwatchers Points

  • 6.5
    Points
  • 7
    PointsPlus

Good Points

  • saturated fat free,
  • low cholesterol,
  • sugar free

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