basil sauce crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the clue "basil sauce" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. Below you'll find the most common and accurate answers, along with explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "basil sauce crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
PESTO: A vibrant green Italian sauce made primarily from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It is by far the most common answer for 'basil sauce' in crosswords.
More About "basil sauce crossword clue"
The clue "basil sauce" almost universally points to PESTO, a beloved culinary staple originating from Genoa, Italy. This bright, aromatic sauce is celebrated for its simple yet powerful blend of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Sardo, and high-quality olive oil. Its distinct green color and pungent flavor make it instantly recognizable, whether served with pasta, spread on bread, or used as a flavour enhancer in various dishes.
In the world of crosswords, PESTO is a fantastic solution because it's a short, common, and unambiguous term for a very specific food item. Crossword setters often rely on such well-known terms to create clues that are challenging yet solvable. Clues might vary slightly, perhaps using "Italian green sauce" or "Genoese topping," but "basil sauce" remains the most direct route to PESTO.
Understanding these common associations is key to improving your crossword-solving speed. When you see a clue like "basil sauce," your mind should quickly jump to the most prominent and widely recognized food item fitting that description, which is undoubtedly PESTO.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Think Culturally and Geographically: For food-related clues like "basil sauce," consider the cuisine or region it's associated with. Italian dishes often feature prominently in crosswords.
- Prioritize Specificity: Crossword clues often lead to the most specific and direct answer. While basil is an herb, and sauce is a general term, PESTO is the highly specific product that combines both.
- Check Letter Count First: Before guessing, always confirm the number of letters required. For "basil sauce," knowing it's a 5-letter word immediately narrows down possibilities to common words like PESTO.
- Common Food Lexicon: Familiarize yourself with a glossary of common food items, ingredients, and dishes that frequently appear in crosswords. PESTO is definitely one to add to your mental database!
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PESTO such a common crossword answer for basil sauce?
PESTO is a unique, short, and widely recognized name for a basil-based sauce, particularly popular in Italian cuisine. Its distinctiveness and common knowledge make it an ideal fit for crossword grids, allowing setters to clue it precisely with a concise solution.
Are there other common crossword answers for "basil sauce"?
While PESTO is overwhelmingly the most common and direct answer for 'basil sauce', other, less specific terms like 'SAUCE' or 'CONDIMENT' could theoretically appear in crosswords if the clue were broader. However, when the clue is specifically 'basil sauce', PESTO is almost certainly the intended solution due to its specific nature and length.
What ingredients make up traditional basil sauce (pesto)?
Traditional Genovese pesto, the classic basil sauce, typically includes fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Pecorino Sardo cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. These ingredients are traditionally pounded together (hence 'pesto' from the Italian 'pestare', to crush or pound) to form a vibrant green, aromatic paste.