What a great accompaniment to your pizza ingredients and one that takes your level of pizza making to the next level – a great way to show off your skills beyond the basics. Try this the next time you decide to host a party.
To make pesto, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 bunch of flat leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts (dry roasted)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3 medium cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions:
- Dry roast the pine nuts in a small fry pan (remove from heat once you can smell them) and then put to the side – tip: do not overcook them
- Place the basil, parmesan, roasted pine nuts, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
- With the machine running, slowly add the oil and lemon zest and juice. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, and pulse just until combined.
- Transfer the pesto to a serving bowl.
- Serve the pesto immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Note: If you are freezing the pesto, it is best to omit the cheese and add it after thawing.
Pizza was originally a food of the poor in Italy and was sold by street vendors and at open-air markets. It was often made with inexpensive and readily available ingredients, such as tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. The toppings for pizza varied depending on what was available and in season.
Pizza began to gain popularity in Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it began to spread to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world. Pizza quickly became a popular and inexpensive food with many variations and styles of pizza being developed. Today, pizza is enjoyed all over the world and is considered a staple of Italian cuisine.
There are many different types of pizza, including Neapolitan, which is made with a thin, soft crust and simple toppings such as tomato sauce, cheese, and fresh basil.
