Italy · Italy

Pesto alla Genovese (Basil Pine Nut Pesto)

A bright basil pesto tossed with trofie or linguine, finished with potato and green beans.

27 minutes · 4 servings · Easy

Pesto alla Genovese (Basil Pine Nut Pesto)

Pesto alla Genovese is Ligurian, and its ingredients reflect what the hillsides gave: basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and oil. The traditional method pounds the mixture in a mortar, which bruises the basil and releases the oils slowly. It is used as a sauce, but also as a sauce for potatoes and green beans, eaten with the hands.

Ingredients

  • fresh basil leaves60 g
  • pine nuts30 g
  • Parmigiano Reggiano, grated60 g
  • Pecorino, grated20 g
  • garlic clove1 pieces
  • extra virgin olive oil120 ml
  • fine salt3 g
  • trofie or linguine400 g
  • potato, diced150 g
  • green beans, trimmed100 g

Directions

  1. 1

    Blend basil, pine nuts, cheeses, garlic, oil and salt to a paste.

  2. 2

    Boil pasta with potato and green beans 10 minutes; drain, save water.

  3. 3

    Toss pasta with pesto, loosening with a splash of cooking water.

Source: WorldBite Editorial · WorldBite Proprietary Editorial Content