Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2               cups  fresh basil leaves -- rinsed & patted dry
  2             cloves  garlic, lightly crushed and peeled
  1           teaspoon  kosher salt
     1/2           cup  high-quality olive oil
  2        tablespoons  pine nuts (can sub walnuts or peanuts)
     1/2           cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese -- plus
  1         tablespoon  freshly grated parmesan cheese -- for garnish
  3        tablespoons  butter -- at room temperature

Preparation:

Put the basil, garlic, salt, olive oil and pine nuts in the food processor fitted with the steel blade. Mix, stopping to scrape the ingredients down the container side with a spatula from time to time to make sure everything is equally processed. When well-blended, put into a small bowl and mix in the parmesan with a fork. Beat in the softened butter. Spoon into serving dish and top with extra cheese. Serve with spicy pita toasts or toasted French bread rounds.

Nutritional Information:

314 Calories (kcal); 34g Total Fat; (96% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; 93mg Cholesterol; 2233mg Sodium