0 Toast the pine nuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place pine nuts on a baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the exterior of the nuts are slightly browned. Keep an eye on them, as they will burn very easily if you do not. Let them cool before you mix your pesto or they will wilt the basil and melt the cheese.
1 As the pine nuts toast, prep the rest of the ingredients. Pluck the basil leaves from their stems, chop the garlic and shred the cheese.
2 Make the pesto. Add the basil, garlic, toasted pine nuts and the parmesan cheese to your food processor.
3 Pour in about half of the olive oil. Pulse until the ingredients are chopped and the mixture is beginning to come together.
4 Pour in the rest of the oil, and pulse until smooth. Take a taste, and season with salt and pepper.
5 Transfer the pesto to a jar or a bowl, then enjoy immediately.
