Green Basil Pesto | Morsels of Life

Green Basil Pesto

A simple green basil pesto. Keep your pesto green with one simple step.

Morsels of Life - Green Basil Pesto - A simple green basil pesto. Keep your pesto green with one simple step.

I've made Basil Pesto before, and I always disliked the discoloration that so quickly occurs. I've seen a range of ways to help decrease the browning ranging from coating in oil to spraying with lemon juice to blanching. Well, I knew the amount of oil I use in pesto's not enough to prevent the oxidation, and I didn't really want to throw off the flavor by adding lemon juice, which leaves blanching. I didn't really have high hopes since so many other methods failed. When I saw these results, I was pleasantly surprised! Very green pesto, long after others had turned brown! An addition bonus to blanching the basil first is you can add a whole lot more basil with a lot less oil, making for a more flavorful, less oily pesto. :)

What's your favorite trick or tip for working with herbs?


Morsels of Life - Green Basil Pesto - A simple green basil pesto. Keep your pesto green with one simple step.

by

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Yield: 4 cups

Materials:

Mass Weight Volume Number Material Notes
4 ounces basil, fresh I'd recommend 4 ounces as a minimum. I've used up to a pound without increasing the amount of oil.
58 grams 1/4 cup olive oil
28 grams 1/4 cup walnuts
1 tablespoon 3 cloves garlic, minced
54 grams 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese


Methods:

Morsels of Life - Green Basil Pesto Step 1 - Gather all materials. 1. Gather all materials.
Morsels of Life - Green Basil Pesto Step 2 - Blanch basil. 2. Blanch basil.
Morsels of Life - Green Basil Pesto Step 3 - Make sure to drain blanched basil well. I used a salad spinner. Process all materials together, adding olive oil at the end to reach desired consistency. 3. Make sure to drain blanched basil well. I used a salad spinner. Process all materials together, adding olive oil at the end to reach desired consistency.

Morsels of Life - Green Basil Pesto - A simple green basil pesto. Keep your pesto green with one simple step.

20 comments:

  1. maria @ close to homeJune 02, 2014

    I have never blanched my greens before, will have to try this recipe. thanks for linking up to friday frenzy

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  2. Thanks for hosting! The green-ness of the blanched basil really surprised me, and it made for a much prettier pesto. :)

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  3. This was the most viewed post from last week's Try a new Recipe Tuesday! Congrats! be sure to grab an "I've been featured" button from my sidebar for your blog. Can't wait to see what you'll share this week.

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  4. Thanks for the feature! :) I'll be sure to stop by again.

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  5. I love basil pesto and it is so versatile. You can use in pasta, as a dip and as a sauce over chicken. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us at #AnythingGoes

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  6. It certainly is! I like to make a batch and then freeze for those last minute meals. :)

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  7. Making this will all my leftover basil that I stole from my friend's garden :) Thanks for sharing with Saucy Saturdays~

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  8. Sounds like a great way to use it all! You can even make it extra strong by adding lots of extra basil. Once it's blanched, it works pretty well. :) Don't forget to save a sprig so you can grown your own next year! :)

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  9. Yum. Thanks for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party.

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  10. Thanks for hosting and stopping by! :)

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  11. It's the same when avocado or apple goes brown, tastes find but does not look pretty! Thanks so much for the tip.

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  12. Yep - just a bit of oxidation. Hope you enjoy the tip - it's good to have a way to easily fix the issue, especially one that adds so much more flavor! :)

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  13. Very interesting. I have a lot of basil, but I have never made pesto. I guess I've never eaten it either.

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  14. What do you do with your basil? I think you should send some my way. :)

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  15. I going to have to try this! This looks so good! Pinned and tweeted.

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  16. Your Basil Pesto looks awesome! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  17. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you get to enjoy this green basil pesto too. :)

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  18. I had no idea! How clever! Thanks so much for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party :)

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  19. Isn't it great to find simple tricks for the kitchen? :) I know I love when I find a new trick!

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