We have so much basil in the garden. SO MUCH. I’m sure we always have a lot at this point in the year, but this year it feels like an especially large haul. The obvious way to use up a lot of it? A batch of pesto.

I combined two recipes here – the ingredient amounts from one and the method from another. The extra step of toasting the pine nuts and garlic is so worth it here – this is a great, go-to pesto.

Now, to use it up!

Basil Pesto
(adapted from Crumbly Cookie and Self Magazine)
Makes about 1 cup

1 clove of garlic, unpeeled
3 Tbsp. pine nuts
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cups basil leaves

In a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden. Transfer to a food processor. Add the unpeeled garlic to the skillet and toast for 1 minute, flip and toast for another minute. Peel and add to the food processor, along with the parmesan and olive oil.

Process until smooth. Add the basil and process again, until a paste forms.