Skip to main content

Creamy Basil Pesto

Typical pesto can be more than 50 percent pure fat, and even though a little goes a long way, that’s just too many calories. This is a re-invention of the classic pesto alla genovese. The garlic, pine nuts, basil, and Parmigiano-Reggiano are all still there, but low-fat sour cream stands in for the olive oil. It may not be 100 percent authentic, but you’ll love what it does for your dress size.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 3/4 cups (7 servings)

Ingredients

4 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream, such as Breakstone’s
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons chopped toasted pine nuts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the garlic and sour cream in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the garlic is finely chopped. Add the basil, parsley, crushed red pepper, cheese, and pine nuts. Puree until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  2. nutrition information

    Step 2

    Fat: 28g (before), 8.3g (after)

    Step 3

    Calories: 300 (before), 110 (after)

    Step 4

    Protein: 6g

    Step 5

    Carbohydrates: 4g

    Step 6

    Cholesterol: 17mg

    Step 7

    Fiber: 0g

    Step 8

    Sodium: 197mg

Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.