Can you make pesto without a food processor?

Yes, you can absolutely make pesto without a food processor! It just requires a little more elbow grease. Here's how:

Method 1: Mortar and Pestle

1. Toast the pine nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden.

2. Crush the garlic: Add the garlic to the mortar and pestle and crush until finely minced.

3. Grind the basil: Add the basil leaves to the mortar and pestle. Pound and grind the leaves until they are finely chopped, working in batches if necessary.

4. Combine and mix: Add the toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to the mortar. Grind everything together until a paste forms.

5. Add the olive oil: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, grinding and mixing constantly to create a smooth pesto.

Method 2: Hand Chopping

1. Prepare the ingredients: Toast the pine nuts as described above. Finely chop the garlic. Roughly chop the basil leaves. Grate the Parmesan cheese.

2. Combine and chop: Place the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese in a bowl. Use a sharp knife to finely chop everything, adding the olive oil gradually to create a smooth paste.

Tips:

* Use a good quality olive oil: The quality of your olive oil will greatly impact the flavor of your pesto.

* Don't overprocess: If using a mortar and pestle, stop grinding once you have a paste. Overprocessing can create a bitter flavor.

* Adjust the ingredients: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. For a nut-free version, try using sunflower seeds or walnuts.

* Store in the fridge: Store your homemade pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy your homemade pesto!