Pistou (Provençal Basil Sauce)
A recipe for Pistou (Provençal Basil Sauce)! This vibrant sauce is packed with fresh basil for a perfect accompaniment to soup, bread, meat, and pasta.
Servings 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 bunch fresh basil about 100 grams/3.5 ounces, rinsed, dried, and thicker stems discarded
- 40 grams (1.4 ounces) Parmesan freshly grated
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil plus more as needed
Instructions
- Place the garlic in a large mortar with the salt and pound into a smooth paste.
- Tear the basil into small pieces and pound into the garlic until well combined and starting to break apart into a paste.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while pounding the mixture until the ingredients are evenly combined and smooth. Continue to add more olive oil as needed to create a thick sauce.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan, if using, and adjust seasonings to taste.
- Serve immediately with soup, meat, pasta, or bread. Refrigerate leftovers in a jar for up to two days in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil over the top.