The king of sauces: pesto

Preparation time	Cooking time	Portions
5 minutes	15-20 minutes	-

Ingredients

Parsley - 1 glass
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Olive oil - 1/2 cup
Pine nuts - 1 tbsp l.
Basil - 3 cups
Parmesan - 1/2 cup
Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
Garlic - 1 tsp

Cooking method

Rinse them thoroughly and dry the herbs. Separate the basil leaves from the stems. Do the same with the parsley.

Fry the nuts over medium heat. Be careful not to burn them - otherwise the flavor of the sauce will be bitter. A little browned on all sides and rather remove from heat. Set them aside for now, you will need them a little later.

Parsley and basil are best blanched so that the color of the sauce is bright green and beautiful. Blanching will prevent the herbs from losing their color.

So, put the herbs in a metal sieve. You should have a bowl of ice water ready. Very simple - you can not only freeze all the water in the freezer, but simply add the required amount of ice. Separately place the water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.

Dip the leaves in a sieve in hot water. Press down a little so that all the leaves are submerged in the water. And keep them in boiling water for no more than 15 seconds. Remove from hot water - and immediately place in ice cold water. Then remove the leaves by squeezing out excess water.

Place the herbs in a blender or food processor. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, black pepper there, pour in olive oil and beat everything well in a food processor. Add the grated Parmesan to the food processor to the rest of the mixture and mix again.

How and with what to serve

Use the sauce to make pasta, pizza, or toast with spreads. This pesto sauce can be stored for a very long time. To do this, simply freeze it in a regular ice cube tray. And when you need to, just take out one cube of pesto and add it to soup, pasta or other dishes!

Beet pesto: an interesting variation on the Italian sauce

Things to know (Q&A)

Why is pesto so bad for you?

Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat . However, the fat is primarily unsaturated and may have heart health benefits. Pesto is also full of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

Is pesto the healthiest sauce?

Traditional pesto sauce, with its combination of olive oil, pine nuts, fresh basil, garlic and Parmesan cheese, is a healthy addition to any diet. While it is rather high in calories and fat, pesto offers a wealth of nutrients and a punch of flavour that many other sauces lack.

Who makes the best pesto sauce?

Pesto sauce is the world's second most popular pasta sauce , but its success, which has grown over the past 20 years, is due to its versatility. Pesto is ancient.

Why is pesto so unhealthy?

Generally speaking, the main culprits of pesto's high fat and calorie content are olive oil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese . Just one tablespoon of olive oil contains 120 calories and 14 grams of fat. A tablespoon of pine nuts contains 57 calories and 6 grams of fat.

How healthy is pesto sauce?

Thanks to ingredients like basil and garlic, pesto is packed with numerous antioxidants . This will not only help you to stay healthy, but prevent serious illnesses, like cancer, from developing. Pesto can also help to normalize your blood pressure.

Is pesto bad for your stomach?

An adverse reaction after eating basil pesto may not be related to an allergic reaction . If you develop gas, bloating or an upset stomach you may be sensitive to some of the ingredients, such as garlic or olive oil. Make an appointment for further evaluation to diagnose your condition.

Can you lose weight eating pesto?

Is Pesto OK for Weight Loss? I'm a true believer that any food can fit into your diet , even if you're trying to lose weight. Pesto is flavorful and bright and can liven up vegetables, pizza, potatoes and pasta. It's also high in heathy fats, which help keep you satisfied.

Is pesto healthier than sauce?

Pesto is higher in calories than some sauces but it's also made with super-healthy ingredients, like basil, olive oil and nuts. I find it's a great way to add more flavor to pasta dishes and even vegetables and proteins.

Why is pesto so bad for you?

Pesto pasta is popular with children, so a higher salt pesto sauce can raise their daily salt intake , which is much lower for children than adults. In the long term, consuming more than is recommended could increase a child's risk of developing high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks later in life.

Is pesto in a jar healthy?

As with all good things in life, yes, pesto is healthy in moderation . Pesto is high in fat and calories, but also contains many nourishing ingredients. Rich in vitamins, minerals and monounsaturated fats, pesto provides your body with tools to maintain cell health and keep your heart healthy.