30 Pesto

Makes about 3 cups.

Ingredients

• 2 quarts fresh basil leaves
• 1 ½ cups olive oil
• 2 ounces pine nuts or walnuts
• 6 medium garlic cloves
• 1½ teaspoon salt
• 5 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1½ ounce Romano cheese, grated

Steps

1. Wash the basil leaves and drain well.
2. Put the basil, oil, nuts, garlic, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend to a paste, but not so long that the mixture is smooth. It should have a slightly coarse texture.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the cheese.
4. To serve, cook pasta. Just before the pasta is done, stir a little of the hot cooking water into the pesto to thin it, if desired. Toss the drained pasta with the pesto and serve immediately. Pass additional grated cheese.