“Secret Ingredient” Frugal Pesto
By
Lynn Clay
@LavenderLynn
1
This recipe is from An Oregon Cottage. Found while looking for a recipes for Culinary Quest 2014. It has a secret ingredient that makes it cheaper to make.
Ingredients
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5-6 clovegarlic, peeled
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1/4 csunflower seeds
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1/2 cgrated parmesan cheese
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2 1/2 clightly packed basil leaves, washed and dried
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1 Tbsplemon juice (optional, but seems to keep pesto a brighter green after opening)
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3/4 colive oil (plus more if freezing)
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1 tspsalt (or to taste)
How to Make “Secret Ingredient” Frugal Pesto
- Pulse garlic in a food processor until minced. Add seeds and cheese, pulse a few times to chop, and then add the basil and continue to process until all is finely chopped. Add lemon juice, if using.
- With the machine running, add the oil in a fine stream. Process until pesto is smooth. Add salt to taste (less will be needed if using salted sunflower seeds).
- To store in the freezer, pour about 1/2 cup into containers, add a shallow layer of olive oil to the tops, label with date and freeze. Keeps for about a year, if it lasts that long.
