Ricotta pesto Recipe

Ricotta pesto Recipe

  • 20g/¾oz pine nuts
  • 50g/1¾oz fresh basil leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • pinch sea salt
  • 4 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan (or alternative vegetarian hard cheese)
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated mature pecorino (or alternative vegetarian hard cheese)
  • 125ml/4fl oz light extra virgin olive oil
  • 275g/9½oz ricotta
  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Spread the pine nuts on a baking sheet. Bake for 3–4 minutes.
  2. Put the basil, garlic, salt and most of the toasted pine nuts, in a food processor or mortar and grind until a paste. Reserve some of the pine nuts for garnishing.
  3. Tip into a medium-sized bowl and, using a wooden spoon, mix in the Parmesan and pecornio. Pour in the oil very gradually, beating continuously with the spoon. Mix in the ricotta and remaining pine nuts using a fork.
  4. Serve with pasta or as a dip.