Pesto Genovese

A simple, classic basil pesto recipe perfect for pasta, on a sandwich, as a pizza sauce, garnish for soups, or paired with grilled meats. Only takes 5 minutes to make!

If you are Italian please do not read any further …. I’m pretty sure you were born instinctively knowing how to make Pesto Genovese. You were probably given a marble mortar and a wooden pestle before you could even walk and the multi-generational family recipe passed on to you from your Nonna or your Mama is ingrained on your brain like a tattoo. Consider yourself blessed. So just stop reading. Seriously.

Pesto Genovese aka Classic Pesto aka Traditional Pesto is awesome. Enough said. End of post. Buon appetito.

Not really. I have more to say (of course).

Pesto Genovese is a deceptively simple sauce to make. Throw some basil, pine nuts, cheese, salt, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor and let it whir until blended. Simple, right?

Errr…not so fast.

For a true classic Italian Pesto Genovese there ARE rules to follow. Yes, you read me right. There are a handful of rules for making this staple sauce, which if you live in the Western Hemisphere as I do, we have failed at this sauce before we even began due to the type of basil made available to us.

Pesto alla genovese is D.O.P.-protected, which simply put means for a pesto to be considered “true” Pesto Genovese it must be made in a specific way with specific ingredients. You can read more about D.O.P. protection on Wikipedia. We’re getting technical folks.

Here’s what you need in order to make this green gold.

1. Find some D.O.P. basil from Genova. You might have to fly to the Italian region of Liguria for this, but who wouldn’t love a trip to Italy?!
2. Grab some pine nuts off some pine cones (yep, they actually come from pine cones)
3. Pick up a wedge of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Pecorino cheese (specifically Fiore Sardo Pecorino)
4. You’ll need a couple of garlic cloves from Vessalico (small town about 56 miles southwest of Genova…road trip!)
5. Pinch of salt
6. And while you’re at it be sure to get some D.O.P. olive oil from the Italian Riviera.

This pesto could provide for a really lovely trip along the Mediterranean. And some really expensive pesto.

Since us normal folk aren’t typically able to go jet-setting each time we would like fresh pesto I think it’s time to break some Pesto Genovese rules. And if you’re Italian and still reading this, don’t tell your Nonna. My ingredients are sourced from my local grocery store. And they won’t be D.O.P.

While a marble mortar and a wooden pestle are the “correct” method for making pesto, I’m taking the easy/fast route and using my food processor. I LUU-UH-UHHHVE my food processor. It makes the world of cooking easier in many ways, with homemade pesto being one of those. I hear the angels sing a chorus of hallelujahs every time I use it.

There are also rules regarding the order in which the ingredients should be incorporated. I typically stick to these rules. Sometimes sticking to the rules is worthwhile. I repeat, sometimes…

Begin by processing the garlic and pine nuts together.

Once the pine nuts and garlic are pulverized, add the basil and salt. Then add the cheese.

Finally, with motor running, add the olive oil in a thin stream, processing until incorporated.

And just like that, we have green gold. Easy peasy! In no more than 5 minutes we have created a seriously tasty sauce for pizzas, grilled meats, a flavorful spread for a beautiful sandwich, a garnish for soups, and a swoon-worthy sauce for this Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomatoes that you must consider making for dinner tonight. Yummm. The options for including some pesto love into our food and on our snacks are endless.

You might even catch someone in your household eating it by the spoonful. Yeah husband, I’m looking at you.

What are you waiting for?! Whip up some homemade pesto Genovese and let me know in the comments below what you’re eating it with! And if you happen to fly to the Italian Riviera to source your ingredients, please send me a postcard (OR take me with you!).

Ciao amici!

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