Pesto Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. fresh basil leaves, stripped from their stems, coarsely chopped and tightly packed (or substitute 2 c. fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, coarsely chopped and 2 Tbsp. dried basil leaves)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 to 2 tsp. chopped garlic
2 Tbsp. finely chopped pine nuts or walnuts
1 to 1 1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

In a blender, combine basil, pepper, salt, garlic, nuts and 1 cup of oil.
Blend at high speed until ingredients are smooth, stopping the blender every 5 to 6 seconds to push herbs down with a rubber spatula.