Fresh Basil Pesto

Some types of food you don’t see often in traditional Keto recipes, and Pesto is one of them. I’m not sure why since it only has 1 g of carbohydrates per 2 tablespoons and is high in healthy fats. It’s also super tasty and can elevate many simple recipes. This recipe is a basic, no nonsense pesto recipe that is fool proof. You can adjust the amount of oil while you are blending the ingredients depending on what kind of consistency you like your pesto to be. Just know that the amount of fresh basil you need is a lot!

Make sure to read the “What I’ve learned” section for tips on storing and freezing your pesto. Buon Apetito!

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 g) pine nuts
• 4 fl oz (120 ml) good quality olive oil (more if needed)
• 4 oz (115 g) fresh basil leaves
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 oz (85 g) grated Parmesan
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Put all the ingredients in a food processor and process until a smooth consistency forms. Depending on the way you like your pesto, you can add more olive oil while blending. Make sure not to add too much at once to prevent your pesto from becoming too thin.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. (Don’t throw it out after that! Read my freezing tips down below). To prevent the pesto from turning brown, add a small layer of olive oil on top. When you want to use your pesto, simply poor the extra layer of oil off the pesto and put it back when you store it again. (Tip: put the date you made the pesto on the jar).

What I’ve learned…

• 4 oz of fresh basil leaves is a TON of fresh basil!
• Using olive oil prevents oxidation and slows the pesto from turning brown.
• You can freeze pesto! Put the pesto in an ice cube tray and freeze for about 2 hours. After that take the cubes out and put them in a freezer bag before putting them back into the freezer. They will keep for 3 months.
• To thaw frozen pesto cubes, put them out at room temperature for about 30 mins. You can use your defrost setting on your microwave and stir frequently while defrosting, but since the thawing process without it is so fast, I have never tried that option. (Try at your own risk 😉 )

Stats ( serving size is 2 tablespoons. Your end results will depend on how much oil you use)

Calories: 119

Fat: 12 g

Carbohydrates: 1 g

Protein: 2 g