Unsurpassed in Italy, but if you’re not traveling there soon, this is the next best thing.
Cinque Terre
There is no better place to enjoy the deeply traditional and distinct flavors of pesto, than sitting at a seaside restaurant in the Liguria region of Italy. Years ago, we traveled to Italy to celebrate our 20th anniversary, which included a tour of Cinque Terre. Named for the “five lands” or five towns lining the shore of the Italian Riviera, this part of the Liguria region is famous for its beauty and its pesto. Any time you get the pleasure of enjoying food where it originated, it enhances the experience and provides an understanding for the regional connection to the food.
A neighboring table at the seaside cafe.
The Italian coastline was a beautiful highlight of our trip—the remarkable flavor of the pesto and sea bass we had for lunch that day still anchors the memory. Like all good memories, we attempt to replicate and relive the finer points. Upon our return from Italy, I gathered fresh pesto ingredients to do just that. The authentic pesto recipes I found were hard to duplicate since I do not routinely measure in handfuls (my grandma measured in handfuls, but most folks appreciate more precise directions). I suppose, that is the beauty of a recipe that has been perfected or made a thousand times over—the measurements become instinctive.
The Terraced Vineyards of Cinque Terre
With a fresh bundle of basil in hand, I aspired to translate measurement and technique into a pesto recipe that could transport me once again to the salty sea air and piquant sauce as green as the terraced landscape. This particular recipe comes very close, though I understand it could be even closer if I were willing to forgo using the processor for the traditional mortar and pestle. Pesto derives its name from this traditional method as the word pesto means, to pound, or to crush. I appreciate authenticity as much as anyone does, but by using the processor, pesto can be prepared in the time it takes to boil the pasta, so it’s a quicker trip down memory lane!
Basil from the Farmers Market
The basil pictured is the approximate amount required for this pesto recipe, which yields 2 cups and serves eight if tossed with pasta. Check local farmers markets for the larger quantities and best price. Pesto is a versatile sauce that can be tossed with pasta as a side dish, or used as a garnish on quiche, pizza, grilled chicken, or fish. Add 2-3 tablespoons of cream to this recipe for a creamy pesto to serve with steamed or grilled vegetables.
This is a traditional basil pesto sauce; however, there are numerous variations by substituting other ingredients, including: walnuts, fresh parsley, cilantro, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or other hard cheeses. Fresh ingredients produce the best results, so look for lavish bunches of basil for a superb sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 cups basil leaves, clean and dry
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
- 3/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 1 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Toast pine nuts in a skillet, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Transfer to a platter to cool. In a food processor, puree basil leaves and garlic together. Add cheeses, pine nuts, salt and pepper, blend until well incorporated and a smooth paste is produced. With the processor still running, add oil in a steady, thin stream until all the oil is added. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
Store any remaining sauce in a small jar and top with a small amount of olive oil to cover and keep basil from turning dark. Enjoy within one week, or freeze in ice cube trays to add to other sauces, as needed. (Ice cube tray slots are about a tablespoon in each slot making it easy to use small amounts, as needed. Once frozen, remove from the ice cube tray and store in a freezer bag until ready to use.)
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Real Food Forager Fat Tuesday
Ok, being Italian by heritage, I love basil, and I love pesto, and I LOVE the idea of visiting Italy! Someday I will make it there! In the meantime, I think I will make up a batch of this pesto! Now following!
Oh, I do hope you can visit Italy one day, it is an amazing place with great food. I hope to return one day, it is so very rich in history. Hope you like the pesto!