Home-made Fresh Basil Pesto

A jar of home-made #basil pesto in the fridge goes a long way. This is my friend Carol's awesome recipe and my top 5-favourite ways to use it:

• Mixed with butter and dolloped on top of a steak.
• Tossed in some steaming hot Linguine with Parmesan shavings. 
• Mixed with cream cheese to make a sandwich spread instead replacing butter. 
• Spread on a garlic crostini with parma ham and sundried tomato.
• Placed in the centre of a brie cheese before coating and lightly frying.  

Fresh Green Basil Pesto

100g fresh Basil leaves, washed
1/2 cup olive oil
30g tbsp pine nuts
2 cloves garlic, minced
60g Parmesan / percorino cheese, grated
Some freshly squeezed lemon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Whizz the basil leaves, oil, pine nuts and garlic in a blender until smooth.
Gradually add cheese and a teaspoon or two of the lemon juice, salt and pepper

Taste and adjust the lemon, salt & pepper seasoning