10 secrets of the perfect pesto

Pesto is a classic Italian sauce made with basil, cheese, pineapple seeds, and olive oil. It is a versatile sauce that goes well with pasta, pizza, soups, salads, and just bread.

FoodOboz editorial team has prepared for you 2 recipes for a delicious sauce, as well as useful tips on how to cook it properly and what to eat with it.

Ingredients:

• olive oil - 7 tbsp.
• basil - 1 bunch
• pine nuts - 40 g
• grated Parmesan cheese - 50 g
• garlic - 1-2 cloves.
• salt - to taste

Method of preparation:

1. Wash the basil leaves thoroughly, put them on a paper towel to dry.
2. Peel and halve the garlic and put it in a blender with the basil, add the pine nuts, salt, and olive oil, and whisk until smooth.
3. Add grated Parmesan cheese and mix.

2. Pesto with walnuts

Ingredients:

• basil - 100 g
• walnuts - 80-100 g
• olive oil - 50 ml
• garlic - 1-2 cloves.
• lemon juice - 1 tbsp
• Parmesan cheese - 50 g
• salt - a pinch

Method of preparation:

1. Wash the basil, and peel the garlic.
2. Chop the nuts.
3. Throw everything into a blender, add oil, salt, and lemon juice, and whisk until smooth.
4. Add the grated cheese at the very end.

Secrets of the perfect pesto

1. Wash basil only in cold water, as warm water promotes wilting. Be sure to dry it afterward.
2. Pine nuts can be safely replaced with other nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts, and you can also use seeds – flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame. Don't forget to do the main thing before using them – roast them for a pleasant flavor.
3. Use only olive oil and only fresh, high-quality extra virgin.
4. Parmesan cheese can be safely replaced with another cheese and don't forget – it is added at the very end.

How to use the sauce

1. It can be safely added to hot pasta or to cooked lasagna.
2. Eat with omelets, soups, baked meat, and fish.
3. Add to pizza instead of tomato sauce, to sandwiches, and even rolls.
4. Of course, it will add extraordinary flavor to any salad.