Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Mmmm Pesto

Every year, I plan to make enough pesto to freeze in individual ice cube trays for a taste of summer in the middle of winter.  Every year I end up barely making it into fall.  I think next year I should just start a basil farm :) 

Here's the most basic of basic pesto recipes.  I adapted my favorite recipes into the most simple few ingredients - basil. pine nuts. garlic. oil. salt.  If I happen to have a lemon, I'll squeeze a little in to help preserve that gorgeous green color.  And I do generally toast the pine nuts.  But its really more because I love the smell of toasting pine nuts. 



Super Basic Pesto

2 cups loosely packed basil
2 Tablespoons toasted pine nuts  (or untoasted if you don't have the same love of pine nuts toasting o'er an open fire...)
1/4-1/2 cup olive oil (I start with about a 1/4 cup and depending on the consistency will add up to a 1/2 cup as it blends)
2 teaspoons garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 - Add everything to your blender or food processor and pulse it till it's smooth
.

My favorite way to eat pesto is on pasta with some sun dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese


Dinner just doesn't get any simpler!

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3 comments:

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Your pesto looks divine. I have never toasted the pine nuts, but I think I'll give it a try. I have lots of basil growing in my garden, so I need to get busy making some pesto.

Jessa Smith said...

YUM! I LOVE Pesto! Thanks for the tips - I can't wait to try it!

~Jessa
www.jessajill.blogspot.com

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

I love pesto--you don't put parmesan in yours?

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