Classic pesto sauce is an important part of Italian cooking. It comes from the Liguria region and is known for its special ingredients and ways of making it. Here’s what you need to make real pesto:

1. Basil:

   • You need about 2 cups of fresh basil leaves. Ligurian basil is the best choice because it tastes sweet and smells great. This type of basil has a lot of oils that make it fragrant, which is about 1.9%.

2. Pine Nuts:

   • Use about 1/3 cup of toasted pine nuts. They add a creamy feel and a rich, nutty taste. Pine nuts are special because they have around 68% fat, and most of it is the healthy kind.

3. Garlic:

   • Typically, 2 to 3 cloves of garlic are used. Garlic gives the pesto a strong flavor. It’s also known to have health benefits, like fighting germs because of a compound called allicin.

4. Cheese:

   • Parmesan cheese (or Grana Padano) is key for flavor. Use around 1/2 cup of grated cheese. Parmesan has about 35% protein, which adds richness to the sauce.

5. Olive Oil:

   • About 1/2 to 3/4 cup of good-quality extra virgin olive oil is important for mixing everything together. Olive oil is known for being good for you because it helps reduce inflammation and has healthy fats.

6. Salt:

   • Just a pinch of salt is needed for taste. Sea salt is a popular choice because it has more minerals.

To prepare the pesto, mix all these ingredients together using a mortar and pestle or a food processor. This helps get all the flavors out and keeps the sauce’s unique character. The ideal pesto should be a smooth paste. It’s great to use with pasta, meats, and vegetables!