Spicy Chili Basil Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 0.33 cup Pine nuts
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1.5 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice(optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Place the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat and toast until golden brown, about 3 minutes.

2. 2

   Wash the fresh basil leaves and pat them completely dry with a paper towel to prevent a watery pesto.

3. 3

   Add the toasted pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, and crushed red pepper flakes into a food processor.

4. 4

   Pulse the mixture until the ingredients are coarsely chopped and well combined.

5. 5

   Add the fresh basil leaves and salt, then pulse again until the greens are finely minced.

6. 6

   With the processor running on low, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream until the sauce is smooth.

7. 7

   Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice by hand.

8. 8

   Taste and adjust the spice level by adding more red pepper flakes if a stronger kick is desired.