Pesto

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated romano cheese (about 2 oz, Romano gives a stronger sharper flavor) or 1/2 cup parmesan-reggiano cheese (about 2 oz, Romano gives a stronger sharper flavor)
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
• salt & freshly ground black pepper

1. In a food processor: Place the basil leaves and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse a several times. Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese and pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
2. In a mortar: Place pine nuts, basil, garlic and salt in the mortar and grind with a pestle until paste. Add cheeses and drizzle in olive oil, beating with a wooden spoon.
3. Store in jars, topped with a very thin coating of extra virgin olive oil to just cover the pesto. Or, line ice cube trays with oiled plastic wrap & fill with pesto to freeze.

fresh basil, freshly grated romano cheese, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pesto-523857 (may not work)