Advice needed re pine nuts

[no_hypocrisy]

I'm making old style pesto and the recipe calls for 3 oz of pine nuts.

Does that mean 3 ounces in weight or 3 ounces in volume?

To assist you in assisting me, the other ingredients are:
2 cups basil leaves, loosely packed
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1 TBS Parmesan
1 TBS Pecorino Romano
3/4 to 1 cup EVOO

Thanks!

[WhiteTara]

1. They come in little packages. Throw in the whole thing

you can't over do really.

When I'm out of pine nuts, I use walnuts too.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Thanks!

[DetlefK]

2. There's a recipe where it would be 100g, so about 3.5 ounces by weight. Also...

Also... this is why I prefer european recipes. All measurements are metric or otherwise standardized. No cups, no ounces, no "stick of butter".

[no_hypocrisy]

4. This converter has 3 oz of pine nuts into 5/8 cup. Does this sound right to you?

http://www.cookitsimply.com/measurements/cups/pine-nuts-0070-026m1.html

[Kleveland]

5. I would say, chances are the recipe means by weight.

Otherwise, it would use 1/3 cup or something like that.

Most recipes I remember use increments of cup measures for nuts etc, though that can be a bit iffy, since there can be such a variance in the actual volume and weight because of the size of the pieces, and the resultant air space difference based on piece size.

I have seen a considerable movement by bakers to use weight measure for everything, because items like flour can experience a variance in volume caused by humidity, which can affect the recipe.

The recipe on Epicurious for pesto is:

Ingredients

4 cups fresh basil leaves (from about 3 large bunches)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino Sardo or Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Thanks. I am going to try your version.

[Kleveland]

8. You are very welcome!

I should have also listed he instructions, though it is pretty simple.

Preparation

Combine first 4 ingredients in blender.
Blend until paste forms, stopping often to push down basil.
Add both cheeses and salt;
Blend until smooth. Transfer to small bowl.
(Can be made 1 day ahead. Top with 1/2 inch olive oil and chill.)

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/classic-pesto-109802

[no_hypocrisy]

10. Just finished with your recipe

I prefer it to mine.

Thank you again!

[CrispyQ]

7. Oh yum! I love pesto!

I use tamari roasted pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts.

[Kleveland]

9. Mmmm, that sounds tasty too!

Wish I could find some pine nuts at a reasonable price.

They were so much cheaper when I was younger!

Of course, back then in the 70's everything was cheaper. <sigh>

[CrispyQ]

14. I've never used pine nuts.

First I couldn't find them. Then I saw how expensive they were. I think the roasted pumpkin seeds have a similar type crunch.

[Kleveland]

18. When I was younger...

I used to get them at a the Food Co-Op in Cleveland, which has sadly since expired.

I did not know about using them in anything like Pesto back then, I just liked to nibble them like peanuts and cashews!

They were comparably priced back then.

[sharp_stick]

11. That would be weight

but I normally just chuck a bunch in until it looks about right.

[mitch96]

12. I just watched a Alton Brown episode on nuts

He made a pesto like yours but he used pistachio nuts instead of pine nuts.. Less expensive and it's already green!!! He also used lemon tyme, tarragon and sage.. Sounds delish...
m

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pistachio-mixed-herb-pesto-recipe-1942652

[CrispyQ]

15. Problem is, the pistachios wouldn't last long enough to get in my pesto.

[mitch96]

16. I am powerless over pistachios

and my life has become un manageable

m

[applegrove]

13. It is 3 ounces in weight when I took a cooking and baking class. The most

precise measurement is important in baking. I would assume pesto is more forgiving, but that weight is it.

[Major Nikon]

17. When in doubt always go with weight

Dry ingredients are almost always expressed in weight when a value for ounces is given. For water volume and weight are the same.