Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce based on basil and pinenuts, and is usually crammed with olive oil. This version is lightened up by swapping vegetable broth or chicken broth for some of the oil. The flavor of this sauce is fresh and wonderful – toss it with cooked pasta or spoon it over vegetables, fish or poultry.
Homemade Pesto Sauce recipe – 195 calories
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 medium garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon table salt
Preparation:
1. Place the pine nuts in a small skillet and set the pan over medium heat.
2. Cook for about 3 minutes (until the nuts are golden), shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. Transfer the nuts to a plate to cool.
3. In a blender or food processor, combine the nuts, broth, basil, oil, cheese, garlic and salt; process until smooth and thick. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.
Servings: 2
Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 195
Total fat: 16.7 g
Cholesterol: 11 mg
Sodium: 793 mg
Total carbs: 5.1 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 8.4 g
Weight Watchers points: 5
Photo credit: miriam_kato
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TR Hughes
I adore pesto – it is so incredibly versatile and super easy to make. I think the vegetable or chicken broth substitute is a great idea!
Thanks for sharing…
Marie
@TR: Me too ;)! I can´t get enough of pesto. Sometimes my roommate is laughing because pesto is something which I always buy ahead. So that the kitchen is full of it. But I also like to cook it by myself .. so thanks for this great idea… i´m going to try it out this week!
Kathy
I looked out my window today and noticed how big my basil plant is. I am trying to cut back on calories so your recipe is perfect. I am glad I found it.
rencontre
Un grand merci pour cette recette, je n’aime pas trop les olives mais bon avec une bonne préparation ca devrait le faire !
A big thank you for this recipe, I do not like olives but good with good preparation AC should do it!
Mandy
Really really good. respect
Ney Padilha
Delicious, fresh and healthy! Thanks for the great idea!
Tatiana Chinelo
So nice the colours looks really delicious. Full of vitamines. Nhami!
Anastasya Carmelita
i do love all kind of vegetables. not though that has a much calories in there. but anyway, good idea and thanks for all the receipts 😉
Pu-erhtea
Wow! that looks not only jummy but healthy! When i got time i will put my recipes with spinach!! bye bye
Ligando Valencia
Wow!!! It looks so great! I would love to taste it! Just fantastic!
cathy
Yeah! I’m sure that it must taste very good but the photo…I’m sorry but there are some things that we can eat but not see so near.
Lotte
this pesto looks great, it tastes great and it’s so easy to make!
sanjana Shenoy
Wow! That sure does look very nutritious and tasty. Powerpack.
Nicole
Looks really good, I’m gonna try it tonight. Thanks
Bianca
Can I also make it without garlic? I don’t like garlic.
Terravim
Wow, this looks great! Very colorful…but I’m not sure if the veggie broth is really needed?
Parkeren Schiphol
It looks delicious!