Do you have lots of fresh basil in the backyard and wondering what to do with it? A great idea is to make pesto. You can freeze it and use it through the year until your next crop. It only takes 5 minutes.
Here is a very simple recipe.
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Basil Pesto
Yield: 1 cup
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Directions:
Using a food processor combine the basil and the pine nuts. Then add the garlic and then slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream into the mixture. After that add the cheese and then the salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with pasta.
I adore basil and basil pesto! But, alas, I do not have basil bounty this year. It’s been a rough one around here. I wish I could borrow some of yours!
Delishhh replied: — August 30th, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Robin – How was the conference? You did go right? You know i didn’t have a lot of basil this year either but i though it was because i moved and i kind of forgot to water my plants in the middle of it all. But it could have been the lack of summer in Seattle 🙂
Basil…and pesto…I love it, but somehow I haven’t tried making pesto…I have a nice basil plant at my kitchen window…maybe will give a try 🙂
Delishhh replied: — August 30th, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
Juliana – It is sooo easy you have to try it out. When you make pesto it takes about 5 minutes and the reward is huge because it tastes so good. So you are aware you won the giveaway right? I wasn’t sure since i didn’t get a response from my earlier email. Send me your info offlline.
I’ve got a bunch of pesto in my freezer, from all the weeks that my CSA brought me bagfuls of the stuff. This weekend, I had my first-ever grilled cheese sandwich (I know, I know!) with pesto, mozzarella, and a sliced tomato. Heaven. I totally endorse making pesto!
Delishhh replied: — September 7th, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
Maddie,
You are probably in Croatia right now enjoying yourself. I love Croatia. So you will have to let me know what you think when you come back. Some of my favorite things to eat while you are there are: Stuffed peppers, tomato salad and lamb. Have fun!
I loooove basil pesto! Just look at that colour, gorgeous!
Delishhh replied: — September 7th, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
Maria, thanks for stopping by. I love pesto too and it is so easy to make.
I’ve been meaning to make pesto for years. I know that I love it, and last year and I had 2 huge basil plants. But they all got the blight and died! Ah well, will try again because I really love pesto.
Delishhh replied: — September 7th, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
Carrie – oh sorry to hear about your plants. Once you get fresh basil pesto is so easy to make. I am not kidding when i say 10 minutes max.
what a great recipe—simple and can use it on everything… We still have a little left in our herb garden.
Delishhh replied: — September 14th, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
Milk & Honey – Thanks for stopping by. Oh pesto is so easy, and if you have some in your garden even better.
I’ve always wanted to try and make pesto and this looks so easy, must give it a try! Thanks!
Delishhh replied: — September 14th, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
Lana – Nice to see you here. Pesto is so easy, you have to try it out.