RECIPE: Basil Pesto

Summer time, summer time… fresh picked basil, just harvested garlic swirled together with olive oil, macadamia nuts and cheese for a beautiful, fragrant taste of summer!

Ingredients

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup macadamia nuts

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Directions

1. Combine the basil, garlic, and nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
2. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the rest of the oil and cheese and pulse until smooth.

Note:  This sauce is great as a dip for fresh veggies, spread on crackers or bread, tossed with pasta or use as a sauce on grilled fish.  If you make ahead of time, press a layer of plastic wrap onto the top of the sauce and cover tightly to keep from having the top layer change color.

This post has been a contribution by Kristin Frost Albrecht on behalf of The Food Basket, Hawai’i Island’s Food Bank.