I don't know about you, but I have a mild obsession with pesto! Seriously though...on bread, on pasta, as a marinade...the list could go on and on. Because I crave it almost on a weekly basis, I usually end up buying those jars at the grocery store that "claim" to be pesto for a quick fix. Sure the labels says it is, but after you've made this recipe, you will forever be a pesto snob! I've made this recipe in a blender before, but if you have a mortar and pestle, please use it! The process of making it definitely requires a little extra elbow grease with the mortar and pestle, but I promise it's worth it. Did you know that the stainless steel blade in the blender actually neutralizes the flavor of the garlic? Who wants that?! Not this girl. Do it the old fashioned way, and it will forever change your view of pesto!
If you don't have a mortar and pestle, it's a pretty cool gift to ask for on your birthday or Christmas because it's a splurge item that you might not necessarily buy for yourself. In addition to pesto, its great for mashing guacamole or muddling mint and lime for mojitos. Hmmm, I spy I a Mexican dinner night blog post in the works...
