- 1/3 cup shelled walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoon parmigiano-reggiano
- salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- water (i use this to cut down on extra oil and it works great!)
- Combine walnuts and garlic in food processor and process 20 seconds.
- Scrape down the sides, add basil, cheese, and salt, and process until it has a paste-like consistency, about 1 minute.
- Scrape down the sides again and, with blade running, slowly drizzle in olive oil.
- Scrape down the sides again and add water as needed for desired consistency. (A thicker pesto is good to spread and a thinner pesto is good for sauces.)
- Taste and add more of any ingredient as needed.
- Use immediately and store remaining pesto in fridge for about a week or freeze.
- Enjoy!