sauceItalian

Pesto Alla Genovese

Name: Pesto Alla Genovese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 60 g Basil leaves; 30 g Pine nuts; 1 clove Garlic; 50 g Parmesan (finely grated); 25 g Pecorino (finely grated); 100 ml Extra virgin olive oil; 1 pinch Coarse salt

Pesto Alla Genovese is a classic Italian sauce that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Basil leaves, Pine nuts, Garlic, Parmesan (finely grated), Pecorino (finely grated), Extra virgin olive oil and Coarse salt, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. True to traditional Italian cooking, the dish focuses on relying on ingredient purity, fresh herbs, aromatic garlic, and rich extra-virgin olive oil.

In authentic Italian tradition, Pesto Alla Genovese is best presented with crusty artisan bread and a light green salad.

If you enjoy authentic Italian cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Budino Di Ricotta.

Difficulty: easyPrep: 20 minCook: 0 minServes 4

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Ingredients

Basil leaves60 g
Pine nuts30 g
Garlic1 clove
Parmesan (finely grated)50 g
Pecorino (finely grated)25 g
Extra virgin olive oil100 ml
Coarse salt1 pinch

Step-by-Step Instructions

4 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Wash the basil and dry it completely: any water stops the oil binding to the leaves. Chill the mortar and pestle in the fridge.

Step 2

Pound the garlic with the coarse salt to a paste. The salt works as an abrasive; without it the garlic just slides around.

Step 3

Add the pine nuts and work them to a cream, then add the basil a handful at a time. The movement is a pressing circle rather than a pounding: the leaves are crushed against the wall, not smashed.

Step 4

Work in both cheeses, then trickle the oil in while still grinding. The sauce should come together thick and even.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Pesto Alla Genovese reflects the timeless heritage of traditional Italian home cooking, relying on ingredient purity, fresh herbs, aromatic garlic, and rich extra-virgin olive oil. Prepared for generations for family gatherings and celebrations, it represents the heart of regional culinary identity.

Dietary Substitutions

If you need to accommodate dietary restrictions, basil leaves can be substituted with an equivalent volume of seasonal vegetables, legumes, or a protein alternative of your preference.

Chef Technique Tips

Season in stages rather than all at once at the end. Salting components as they cook draws out excess moisture, intensifies natural sugars, and builds harmonious depth of flavor throughout the dish.

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