One of the most rewarding ways to enjoy life is by eating a rich and healthy diet. Without a doubt, canned and industrialized foods generate very serious side effects in your body, generating stress, cancer and hypertension, among other health problems. That is why we show you how to make a delicious pesto that will help you improve and maintain good health.
Table of Contents
What is pesto?
The term “pesto” probably originates from two Italian words. One of them is the Italian verb pestare which means “to crush” as it is done with garlic cloves. Pesto is traditionally made in a mortar with a mallet, with the mallet being the heavy tool used in mortar for grinding and crushing.
The classic recipe is basil pesto. It is usually made with crushed pine nuts, garlic, basil (or another green one), olive oil and Parmesan cheese. It seems so simple, but these five ingredients go so well together.
Basil pesto reduces stress
Basil is known to be a powerful adaptogen and antibacterial anti-inflammatory, which means that it helps the body respond to stress and fight disease, so a basil pesto is great for you.
If you are one of those who cannot control nervousness and you are wondering how to calm your nerves at work? Spinach pesto is your solution. Spinach contains folic acid, which produces dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical, which will help calm your nerves at work. In fact, by including pesto and other greens in your diet, you will tend to feel calmer, happier, and more energetic. A healthy diet seems to predict a positive mood the next day.
Prepare the ideal pesto
To do this you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 2 to 4 cloves of garlic
- 50 gr of basil
- 50 gr spinach leaves
- 120 ml olive oil
- 100 gr grated Parmesan cheese, or other
Preparation:
If you want to use a mortar and mallet, start with the pine nuts and garlic. Crush them in a circular motion, holding the mortar with your hand against the bottom of the mortar until a smooth, creamy paste is created. Add the basil leaves and spinach leaves and mash until smooth. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and add just enough olive oil to blend the cheese into the sauce. When using a blender, it is best to use the same method: dried fruits and garlic first, then herbs, followed by cheese and oil.
Varieties of preparations
There are dozens of varieties of pests. In France, the combination of basil, parsley, garlic, and cheese is known as pesto and is great for spreading, but is also part of a traditional sauce when added to soups. The term pesto has come to mean many things around the world. With the use of the basic form of nuts or seeds, garlic, herbs, cheese and oil, you could practically create several totally different recipes. For example, there are pesto’s of sunflower seeds, cashews, or almonds. Try the one you like the most.
Choose the right cheese and oil
You should bear in mind that there are a wide variety of cheeses that you could use, but it is best to choose a cured cheese that is not only drier, but also has a richer and more concentrated flavor. Certainly, any type of oil could be used, take into account that olive oils from different locations or of different quality levels will bring a different flavor to the pesto.
We invite you to use your imagination and create the recipe of your choice, in this way you can lose weight and at the same time you will be eating healthy.