Imen Dridi Giada De Laurentiis Pesto is made of fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and optional lemon juice. This recipe serves approximately 16 servings, takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and yields a vibrant and flavorful pesto sauce.
More Giada De Laurentiis Recipes:
- Giada De Laurentiis White Pesto
- Giada De Laurentiis Bechamel Sauce
- Giada De Laurentiis Cherry Tomato Pasta
š Why Youāll Love This Pesto Recipe:
- Quick and Easy: The recipe is simple and comes together in just a few minutes.
- Fresh Ingredients: It uses quality, fresh ingredients, making it a delicious and wholesome choice.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare a batch and store it for future use in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Impressive Taste: It elevates the taste of pasta, sandwiches, grilled meats, and more with minimal effort.
- Homemade Goodness: Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own pesto from scratch.
- Great for Sharing: With 16 servings, it’s perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or sharing with family and friends.
ā What Is Giada De Laurentiis Pesto Recipe?
Giada De Laurentiis’ Pesto recipe combines fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and optional lemon juice. Blended together, it creates a vibrant and versatile sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a flavorful condiment.
šæ Giada De Laurentiis Pesto Ingredients
- 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- Ā¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Ā½ cup olive oil
- Ā¼ cup pine nuts
- 4 cloves garlic, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, or more to taste (optional)
šµ How To Make Giada De Laurentiis Pesto
- Fill the bowl of a food processor or blender with garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pine nuts.
- Combine all of these ingredients. Mix until it becomes a smooth paste.
- In the event that you desire, add lemon juice, and then swiftly pulse to blend.
š Recipe Tips
- Fresh Basil: Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor. Make sure they are clean and dry before adding them to the food processor.
- Toasting Pine Nuts: For a richer, nuttier flavor, consider toasting the pine nuts in a dry pan over low heat before adding them to the pesto mixture. Be careful not to over-toast, as they can quickly become bitter.
- Adjust Garlic: The amount of garlic can be adjusted to your personal taste. If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, use fewer cloves; for a stronger garlic taste, add more.
- Lemon Juice: The optional lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy note to the pesto. You can adjust the amount to your liking or omit it altogether if you prefer a traditional basil and cheese flavor.
š What To Serve With Pesto?
Serve pesto with pasta, such as spaghetti or gnocchi, as a sauce it’s excellent as a spread on sandwiches, a topping for grilled chicken or fish, or mixed into salads pesto also makes a delightful dip for bread or a flavorful pizza sauce.
š How To Store Leftovers Pesto?
- Refrigeration: Place the pesto in an airtight container, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the surface to prevent browning, and seal it store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: You can freeze pesto in ice cube trays for smaller portions or in an airtight container before freezing, consider omitting the cheese and adding it when you use the pesto, as cheese can change in texture when frozen. Frozen pesto can be stored for up to six months.
š„µ How To Reheat Leftovers Pesto?
- In The Stovetop: Warm leftovers pesto in a saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until heated to your liking.
- In The Microwave: Place leftovers pesto in a microwave-safe dish, heat for 10-20 seconds at medium power and stir. Repeat if needed, watching closely to prevent overheating.
FAQs
What’s the difference between Pesto and Pesto Genovese?
Pesto Genovese is the traditional basil-based pesto originating from Genoa italy it includes specific ingredients like pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
Why does my Pesto turn brown?
Pesto can turn brown when it’s exposed to air to prevent this, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on the surface of the pesto, or store it with plastic wrap directly touching the sauce.
Can I adjust the garlic in Pesto to suit my taste?
Yes, you can customize the amount of garlic in pesto add more for a stronger garlic flavor or reduce it for a milder taste.
Can I make Pesto with a different herb than basil?
Yes, you can make pesto with other herbs like cilantro, parsley, or spinach for unique flavors these variations are often referred to as “herb pesto.”
How do I use Pesto in cooking?
Pesto can be used in various ways, such as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, pizza topping, salad dressing, or marinade for meats and vegetables.
Try More Giada De Laurentiis Recipes:
- Giada De Laurentiis Potato Salad
- Giada De Laurentiis Baccala Salad
- Giada De Laurentiis Grilled Vegetables
Giada De Laurentiis Pesto Nutrition Facts
(per 2-tablespoon serving)
- Calories: 87
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 1g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Giada De Laurentiis Pesto
Description
Giada De Laurentiis Pesto is made of fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and optional lemon juice. This recipe serves approximately 16 servings, takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and yields a vibrant and flavorful pesto sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fill the bowl of a food processor or blender with garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pine nuts.
- Combine all of these ingredients. Mix until it becomes a smooth paste.
- In the event that you desire, add lemon juice, and then swiftly pulse to blend.
Notes
- Fresh Basil: Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor. Make sure they are clean and dry before adding them to the food processor.
- Toasting Pine Nuts: For a richer, nuttier flavor, consider toasting the pine nuts in a dry pan over low heat before adding them to the pesto mixture. Be careful not to over-toast, as they can quickly become bitter.
- Adjust Garlic: The amount of garlic can be adjusted to your personal taste. If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, use fewer cloves; for a stronger garlic taste, add more.
- Lemon Juice: The optional lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy note to the pesto. You can adjust the amount to your liking or omit it altogether if you prefer a traditional basil and cheese flavor.
