Pesto. Pistachio. Perfection.

Pesto. That spread that everyone loves to slather on their toast, meat, vegetables and more. The thing is, pesto is alarmingly simple. If you have a food processor and measuring cups, you have everything you need to make pesto. Well, you also need the ingredients of course. Pesto has that nutty, salty and earthy flavor that just goes with everything. I actually made this pesto as a spread for my husband's favorite panini. (It didn't photograph well unfortunately because it is f-ing delicious.The pesto on the other hand did photograph well, so it made it onto the food blog. One day I am going to get my burger and sandwich photography figured out. One day.)

Anyway... I like to make my pesto with pistachios. Because why not? Pistachios are salty, pop-able and craveable little bites of green goodness, and one of my favorite nuts. I have been making my pesto with pistachios for quite some time now. First, they are a great fit for this spread. And second, they are one of the things that is almost always in my home. Randomly whipping something like this up becomes a simple endeavor when you have figured out how to stock your pantry and fridge with the ingredients you use the most. The ingredients that have the most applications and that you find yourself using with some frequency. I know not everyone has that on lock down. But if you haven't pieced that mystery together yet, start taking mental notes when you cook. When I was writing my grocery list to make this ingredient heavy panini, I knew I wasn't going to have to buy pesto. One, I can probably make it better. But two, my herb garden has basil and my cupboards (not wiped down, kids alive) has pistachios. Olive oil, garlic and cheese are also things that are almost always in my home. And that is the break down of pesto. I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes and a bit of lemon juice to my pesto as well.

So if you're looking for a sandwich schmear, something to diversify your caprese salad or just something to eat by the spoonful, this basil based spread has your name on it. Well, not literally it doesn't. But you get the point. :)

At least I sincerely hope you do. If not, this pesto just might be too difficult for you. Here is to hoping that is not the case.

Ingredients/Instructions:

2 cups basil leaves, packed

3 tbsp pistachios

1/2 tbsp lemon juice

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup Parmesan

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

pinch of red pepper flakes

1. Add garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, Parmesan and pistachios to the food processor.