The universal EASY basil pesto recipe! Learn how to make homemade basil pesto sauce in 5 minutes, and youโll want to put it on everything. Have you got a lot of fresh basil and wondering what you can do with it? Here is an easy recipe for basil pesto that is keto and low carb as well.
Do you love the smell of fresh basil same as me? I love it so much that I buy basil in a pot and keep it on my window seal so my kitchen smells like fresh basil. It is such a refreshing smell and it always reminds me of these warm sunny days.
Iโm going to show you how easy and quick is to make homemade keto basil pesto in only 2 steps.
FIRST, What is Pesto?
Pesto is typically a bright green sauce that originated in Genoa, Italy. The word โpestoโ is the past tense of the Genoese verb โpestare,โย which means โto crush.โ The fact thatย pesto is typically made by crushing the ingredients with a mortar andย pestle probably has something to do with that too.
Pesto traditionally consists of crushedย garlic, Europeanย pine nuts, coarse salt,ย basil leaves, and hard cheese such asย Parmigiano-Reggianoย (also known as Parmesan cheese) orย Pecorino Sardoย (cheese made from sheepโs milk), all blended withย olive oil. That is pretty much what I am going to use today as well. Sounds good?
HOW TO MAKE BASIL PESTO SAUCE
Itโs really easy to make basil pesto. All you have to do is add all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse the mixture until reaches the desired consistency. Thatโs all.
WHAT IS BASIL PESTO SAUCE MADE OF?
Iโm using today:
- Basil
- Pine nuts โ you can use any nuts you like. For example, Macadamia nuts, Almond nuts. If you prefer to make it nut-free, you can use seeds like sunflower seeds.
- Parmesan cheese โ you can use any hard cheese you have. For a dairy-free option, you can use dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast.
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon juice โ lemons are not Keto friendly. If you are doing strict Keto, you can omit the lemon juice or use Apple Cider Vinegar.
You can add anything else you want.
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE PESTO SAUCE?
Homemade pesto sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 7-14 days. If you are not going to use it within two weeks, you can freeze it as it freezes really well for up to 6 months!
TIP: Wrap pesto pods with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
RECIPES WITH BASIL PESTO SAUCE
Did you know you can use this basil pesto sauce recipe in so many different ways?
Iโve recently tried using it for pizza sauce. Yes, I know, itโs a little different but tasted amazing. You can have a look at my Keto Pesto Pizza recipe HERE if you want.
What about Pesto Chicken with broccoli and cauliflower?
This Pesto Sauce is so versatile. You can have it as a sauce on the side (cold) or use it as sauce for any dish or even as a salad dressing.
Warn, you can use the Pesto Sauce to stuff chicken or simply pour it over the chicken, top it up with cheese and bake it.
TOOLS TO MAKE HOMEMADE PESTO SAUCE
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Food Processorย โ This homemade pesto sauce recipe couldnโt be easier, thanks to the food processor who does all the hard work! This is the food processor that I have, use, and love.
- 12-Piece Freezer Container Setย โ These 2 oz containers are the perfect size for storing extra basil pesto sauce. Or make a few batches when basil is at its peak to freeze for fall and winter.
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Nutrition Facts
4 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories216
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
21.1g
33%
- Total Carbohydrate
4g
2%
- Dietary Fiber 1.3g 4%
- Protein 5.1g 10%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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FAQ
Q: How do I store and serve my keto chocolate eclairs?ย
A: You can store your keto chocolate eclairs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. To serve them, you can thaw them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour. You can also reheat them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds to make them warm and soft. You can enjoy your keto chocolate eclairs as they are or with some keto ice cream or whipped cream on the side. They are perfect for any occasion, from breakfast to dessert.
Q: What is the difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream?ย
A: Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are both high-fat dairy products that are used to make keto desserts. They have similar nutritional values and can be used interchangeably in most recipes. The main difference is that heavy cream has at least 36% milk fat, while heavy whipping cream has at least 30% milk fat. Heavy cream is slightly thicker and richer than heavy whipping cream, but both will whip well and create a fluffy texture.
Q: How many net carbs are in one keto chocolate eclair?
A: Net carbs are the total carbs minus the fiber and sugar alcohols. One keto chocolate eclair has about 2.3 grams of net carbs, depending on the ingredients and the size of the eclair. This is much lower than a regular eclair, which can have up to 28 grams of net carbs. Keto chocolate eclairs are a great low carb dessert for anyone who follows a keto diet or a low carb diet.
Q: How do I make keto chocolate custard?
A: Keto chocolate custard is a creamy and rich filling for keto chocolate eclairs. It is made with heavy cream, egg yolks, sweetener, salt, xanthan gum, butter, vanilla extract, and unsweetened chocolate. To make keto chocolate custard, you need to heat the cream and chocolate in a saucepan, whisk the egg yolks with the sweetener and salt in a bowl, temper the eggs with the hot cream, return the mixture to the saucepan and cook until thickened, stir in the butter and vanilla, and refrigerate until set. You can find the detailed instructions and measurements in the recipe card below.
Q: Can I make keto eclair cake instead of keto eclairs?
A: Yes, you can make keto eclair cake instead of keto eclairs. Keto eclair cake is a layered dessert that uses keto graham crackers, keto pastry cream, and keto chocolate glaze. It is easier and faster to make than keto eclairs, and it serves a larger crowd. To make keto eclair cake, you need to layer keto graham crackers in a large baking dish, spread half of the keto pastry cream over the crackers, add another layer of crackers, spread the remaining pastry cream, add the final layer of crackers, and pour the keto chocolate glaze over the top. Refrigerate the cake until set and enjoy. You can find the recipe for keto graham crackers and keto eclair cake here.
Q: Can I make these keto chocolate eclairs dairy-free?
A: Yes, you can make these keto chocolate eclairs dairy-free. You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream, the butter with coconut oil, and the cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese. You can also use almond milk or coconut milk instead of water in the pastry dough. These substitutions will make your keto chocolate eclairs suitable for anyone who is lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. They will also add a subtle coconut flavor to your keto chocolate eclairs.
Q: Can you freeze eclairs?ย
A: Yes, you can freeze eclairs as a whole or in separate parts. To freeze eclairs, you need to let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them until firm. Then you can wrap each eclair individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. To thaw eclairs, you can leave them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour. You can also reheat them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds to make them warm and soft.
Q: How do you make chocolate icing for eclairs?
A: Chocolate icing for eclairs is a simple and delicious topping that adds a rich and glossy finish to your pastries. To make chocolate icing for eclairs, you need to melt some chocolate, butter, cream, and icing sugar substitute in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave. Once melted, you can whisk the mixture until smooth and shiny. Then you can dip the top of each eclair into the icing, letting the excess drip off, or drizzle the icing over the eclairs with a spoon or a fork. You can use any type of chocolate you like, such as dark, milk, or white, but make sure it is keto-friendly if you are following a keto diet. You can also add some vanilla extract, coffee, or liqueur for extra flavor.
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks.
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