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How to make simple basil pesto with kids in the kitchen

February 1, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

Spread it in a sandwich, stir it through pasta or enjoy it as a dip with vegetable sticks, this simply made basil pesto is delish! I also love that it’s a cooking activity that children can really get involved in. Let me show you how to make simple basil pesto with kids in the kitchen. 
How to make basil pesto with kids in the kitchen

I was struggling to come up with the ideal homemade teacher gift at the end of 2016 when Possum (aged  5 years) was finishing her kindergarten experience – forever. Chocolates, flowers all didn’t seem like a big enough thank you to her teachers who had given so much of their love, time and knowledge to my oldest baby girl.

Then I decided to make some homemade basil pesto, which gave me the idea to turn it into a gift, adding to the hamper wine and fresh pasta of course. 

Recommended age:  5 years+ 
(Strict and active supervision is always required) 
Please be aware this recipe may not be suitable to those who have allergies 

little hands cooking and picking basil leaves to make pesto

Little hands breaking up garlic cloves for fine motor development when cooking in the kitchen

How to make simple basil pesto with kids in the kitchen

Possum and I had such a lovely time making this basil pesto. We talked and laughed throughout our time making it. What made this recipe great was that it was quick, simple and opened up some opportunities for her to learn new cooking skills and develop a greater appreciation for her to value fresh produce.

grating parmesan cheese

Teaching children valuable cooking skills

Children really need to use their fine motor skills when breaking apart the bulbs of garlic or tearing up the fragrant basil. Possum (aged 5 years) had never grated parmesan cheese before and I have to admit I was a little nervous, but clearly explaining how to grate cheese and to watch for the dangers, she did an amazing job. 

Basil Pesto Recipe
2017-02-01 05:21:08
Simple and fresh basil pesto.
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Prep Time
15 hr
Total Time
15 hr
Prep Time
15 hr
Total Time
15 hr
Ingredients
  1. 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  2. 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  3. 1/3 cup of pine nuts
  4. 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  5. 1 clove crushed garlic
  6. Salt and peper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place basil leaves and pine nuts into a blender or food processor and pulse until you create a thick paste.
  2. Add crushed garlic clove and parmesan cheese and blend.
  3. As you blend slowly add the extra virgin olive oil to emulsify ingredients.
  4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Laughing Kids Learn https://laughingkidslearn.com/

fresh and simple homemade basil pesto kids can make in the kitchen

Do your children enjoy helping in the kitchen? 

If you like this recipe, check these out – 

   Vegemite and cheese scrolls made by kids as an Australia Day cooking activity   how to make healthy kale chips with kids  how to bake healthy sweet potato chips with kids

 

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Filed Under: Cook, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: cooking, recipe, teacher

Comments

  1. Parenting Pod says

    February 25, 2017 at 3:25 am

    What a great recipe to get the littles in the kitchen. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      February 27, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pesto | The Becker Green Classroom says:
    September 2, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    […] Making Pesto with kids. If basil needs to be harvested. Adapted from https://laughingkidslearn.com/how-to-make-simple-basil-pesto-with-kids-in-the-kitchen/ […]

    Reply

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Welcome
Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
Read my about page to find out more.

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