Gourmet Parmesan Italian Pesto Recipes

Steps:

• Crush garlic using a mortar and pestle. Add pine nuts; crush with the garlic. Add basil leaves gradually, making circular movements with the pestle, until a smooth paste forms.
• Mix Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pecorino Romano cheese using a wooden spoon. Stir in olive oil until pesto is blended.

Steps:

• Place basil, cheese and garlic in food processor or blender; cover. With motor running, gradually add oil through feed tube at top of food processor, processing well after each addition. Transfer to small bowl.
• Add dressing mix; stir until well blended.
• Serve immediately. Or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• 1. In a small pot of boiling water, blanch the garlic for 1 minute.
• 2. In a blender, combine the garlic, basil, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pine nuts, and 3/4 cup oil, and gently blend until a chunky purée forms. (To prevent the pesto from turning brown, don't run the blender on high.) Season to taste with salt, then add more olive oil, if needed, and continue to blend until the mixture is smooth and pourable.

Steps:

• With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Stop motor and add nuts, cheese, salt, pepper, and basil, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated. Editor's note: This recipe was originally published in the September 2002 issue of 'Gourmet' and first appeared on Epicurious in August 2004.