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Our Lemon Pesto Sauce captures the essence of summer on our farm. As the basil plants reach their peak, it's the perfect time to make this easy and delicious sauce. Freeze it in an ice-cube tray for convenient use throughout fall and winter. Just thaw a cube, add a little olive oil, and bring it back to life for a flavorful pasta dish or topping for grilled veggies and bread. Enjoy the taste of summer all year round!
History of Pesto
Imagine yourself transported back to 16th century Genoa, Italy, where the delightful creation of pesto unfolded. Picture crushed garlic, vibrant basil, and fragrant pine nuts, harmoniously blended with Parmesan cheese and rich olive oil. The very name "Pesto" stems from the Italian word "pestâ," evoking the image of pounding and crushing.
Traditionally, this sensory journey would involve a mortar and pestle. However, in our modern kitchens, we embrace the convenience of blenders to unleash the essence of basil as we combine it with other exquisite ingredients. Let the magic of pesto transport your taste buds and heighten your culinary experience.
Making Sweet Lemon Pesto Sauce
Ingredients:
- Basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Pine nuts
- Grated parmesan pecorino romano
- Bee Inspired Honey
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Wash the basil and pat dry. Remove the stems and discolored leaves.
- In a food processor or blender (set to pulse), combine all of the ingredients except the salt and pepper.
- Process until almost smooth (this should only take a few seconds).
- Scrape the inside of the container if necessary.
- Give the pesto a taste, and add your desired amount of salt and pepper. The cheese may be salty enough already, so be careful with how much you add!
- Serve however you enjoy!
Our favorite ways to serve this pesto are:
- Over pasta
- On a hot sandwich
- Over roasted vegetables
- On crusty bread
Adapting this Recipe
Recipes are meant to inspire and be personalized. You don't have to follow our Lemon Pesto recipe exactly. Get creative, experiment, and try something different. Need a boost? Here are some ideas for adapting this recipe:
- Swap parsley with the basil for a less sweet sauce.
- Can you imagine a teaspoon of dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and any of your other favorites added to the mix? That would be so good!
- Use shallots instead of garlic for a more mild seasoning.
- Why not serve this pesto on top of zoodles (noodles made with zucchini) or spaghetti squash for a low carb treat?
- Consider serving this as an alternative topping to grilled corn or grilled veggies.
If you decide to try this recipe, be sure to take a photo and share them with us using #beeinspired on Instagram. We love seeing your photos!
