Vibrant Parsley Pesto

Ingredients

Fresh parsley

2 cups, packed

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Pine nuts

1/4 cup, toasted

Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup, grated

Lemon juice

2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed

Salt

1/2 teaspoon, or to taste

Black pepper

1/4 teaspoon, or to taste

Extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup, plus more as needed

Instructions

1. Begin by toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
2. In a food processor, combine the fresh parsley, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pulse the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, creating a coarse texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary to ensure even mixing.
4. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. Adjust the amount of olive oil to achieve a thicker or thinner texture based on your preference.
5. Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if necessary.
6. Transfer the vibrant parsley pesto to a clean jar or airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months for later use.