In a blender jar, add washed and cleaned (stalks removed) fresh basil leaves and garlic pods.
Along with it, add walnuts and almonds.
Pulse the mixture few times until coarse.
Add salt as needed along pepper powder.
Blend into a smooth paste.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and pulse the sauce once again.
Remove onto an airtight container and store refrigerated for longer shelf life.
Note –
The pesto sauce can change color (from bright green to dark green) due to oxidization when exposed to air. Mix it through and the beautiful color should be back. Change in color doesn’t impact taste. To retain the color, wrap it in cling film with it touching the sauce so that there is no contact with the air.
Traditionally pesto sauce recipe calls for Parmesan cheese, I didn’t add any. Almonds compensated for the richness.
Increase the amount of olive oil used as per preference. 2 tablespoon is the bare minimum needed to keep this pesto sauce in good form.
Cracked pepper powder can be added while blending ingredients or can be sprinkled on top whenever this pesto sauce is used.
Instead of almonds and walnuts, only either one can be used. For a cheaper version, use roasted peanuts.
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge and this pesto sauce stays fresh for almost 2 weeks based on my experience.