Classic Pesto

Notes: This all-purpose pesto is great to mix with pasta, hot cooked green beans, potatoes, and asparagus; brush it over chicken, shrimp, or pork, and stir it into salad dressings and soups. Pesto darkens rapidly when exposed to air. You can cover the pesto airtight (press plastic wrap directly onto surface) or cover surface with a little extra olive oil. Store up to 1 day in the refrigerator. Or spoon into ice-cube trays, press plastic wrap onto surface, and freeze; when solid, pop cubes from trays and store airtight for up to 6 months in the freezer. Thaw before using. If surface darkens, just stir to blend.