
Bright, herby, and punchy with a briny twist, this pesto swaps out the usual pine nuts and cheese for pitted green olives that bring a savory depth you won't find in a standard jar from the store. The combination of packed fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and good extra-virgin olive oil creates a sauce that tastes genuinely vibrant ā the kind of thing that makes a simple bowl of pasta feel like a real occasion. A quick pulse in the food processor is all it takes, and the technique of streaming in the oil while the machine runs gives you that silky, cohesive texture without any fuss. Because every ingredient here is whole and straightforward, there's no guesswork about hidden spice blends or pre-mixed seasonings that might sneak in unwanted additions ā what you see in the list is exactly what ends up in the jar. The optional parsley is a nice finishing touch if you want a little extra green freshness, but the pesto holds its own beautifully without it. Spread it on toast, toss it with pasta, swirl it into soup, or use it as a dipping sauce ā this one earns its place in regular rotation fast.
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Learn more ā6 servings








Combine the basil leaves, green olives, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8ā10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and the garlic is broken down.
With the processor running, pour the olive oil in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube, processing until the pesto is smooth with a few flecks of texture remaining ā about 20ā30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula, then pulse once or twice more to incorporate.
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