Pesto is Super easy to make, but best made by hand. My kids have always called this recipe Rainbow Pesto, because we use regular basil, purple basil and lemon basil...but in the end it's still green :)
So we start with a good mixed pile of basil (some of whatever we have growing, but be sure to only use a small portion of lemon basil as it is very strong).
I am using an 8" marble mortar and pestle, one of my most used kitchen tools.
Next we peel 4-6 cloves of garlic
I always use a small garlic board, because there is nothing worse than fresh bread picking up garlic from the board. No matter how well you wash a board the garlic oils never really come out.
Other ingredients will be;
1/4 t sea salt
1/4 C Pine nuts
1 1/2 C grated Parmesan
Olive oil (qty is up to you, but plan on at least 1/4 - 1/2 C)
First we mash the garlic and salt into a rough paste...
Next add in the basil leaves and mash them up with the garlic, some at a time, until it looks like this...
Add in the pine nuts and mash until it looks like this...
Then add in the Parmesan and continue mashing until it looks like this...
Now we add in olive oil...just add some, mix, add in more, mix...until you have the consistency you like...and you are done!
We use pesto on pasta often, but it's great with fresh pita, crackers, added to sandwiches...etc.
Enjoy!
The mortar I use can be found here https://www.lehmans.com/product/marble-mortar-and-pestles/