![homemade pesto](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7481145228_338d29c4b0_o.jpg)
I have to start off letting you know I used to hate pesto. Like really hate it. I love fresh basil so it was weird to me that I didn't care for pesto at all. That all changed this year.
Our basil bushes have been doing quite well this year and I've been clipping it like crazy and making a lot of caprese salads and adding fresh basil to just about everything. It's been wonderful!
Since we have SO much basil I decided to make my own pesto and give my taste buds another shot. I mean, really, it's probably been 10+ years since I tried it and I'm certain my tastes have changed since then.
I looked up a lot of recipes online for pesto, read a bunch of reviews and made up my own version based off of this one. Turns out I love pesto!
Total surprise to me but I'm so glad I gave it another shot. I've been creating all sorts of dishes just so I can use it.
I first tried it alone on some fresh sliced tomatoes from the garden.
![garden tomatoes with pesto](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7481145654_98a4b6f5a3_o.jpg)
Delicious.
Then I heated some up in a skillet with a little cream and poured it over gnocchi and chicken.
![chicken and gnocchi with pesto](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7481145408_71984591bf_o.jpg)
Delicious again!
Then we had our homemade pizza night and I made a pizza with pesto as the sauce. I topped it with tomatoes, onions, sausage, feta and more cheese and baked it.
![Homemade pizza with pesto](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7481144868_8ccfdeeaa0_o.jpg)
Again, delicious.
And the latest meal was just some store-bought chicken and cheese ravioli tossed with warmed pesto.
![chicken and cheese ravioli with pesto](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7481145772_96676b979c_o.jpg)
No surprise here. Delicious.
To top it off, it was so easy to make and as you can see, so versitile.
Have I interested you in making your own yet?!
If so, here's what you'll need:
![ingredients for pesto](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7481145038_94545569a2_o.jpg)
1. 3 cups chopped basil
2. 2 tablespoons minced garlic
3. 2/3 cup parmesean cheese
4. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
5. 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
6. 1/2 cup roasted walnuts, chopped
Ideally, you would blend the basil and a tablespoon of olive oil in a food processor until it was a paste, but I didn't have a food processor at the time so I used my magic bullet. Anyway, once you have a basil paste, gradually add the nuts, garlic, spices and remaining olive oil and blend until smooth. I just stored mine in a jar and stuck it in the fridge to use when I need it.
I know I have parmesan cheese listed and you need it, but I also read that if you leave it out your pesto will last longer. So, I just add the cheese as I use it but if you prefer to add it, just blend it in when you add the nuts and stuff.
That's it. Hope you enjoy it!
I finally tried pesto a few months ago at Top That Pizza. I freaking love it!! I will definitely steal some basil from my grandparents garden and make this. Looks pretty easy!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the easiest things I've ever made. You will love it!
Deleteoh and I do pesto as the sauce for my pizza. Then I add spinach, roasted garlic, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, black olives, green onions, bacon, grilled chicken, feta, parmesan, and romano. I'm sure it is very low-cal or maybe even no-cal. HAHA!
ReplyDeleteOh, and that pizza sounds amazing!!
DeleteDear Lesleykins,
ReplyDeleteYes, you TOTALLY peaked my interest in pesto. I'll have to see if I can find a cheese-free version for our dairy-freers around here but otherwise, DELISH.
Isn't it amazing how our pallets change over time? I used to dislike coffee/ice tea, almost all veggies, nuts and 'real' meat... and now that's pretty much all I eat!
Love,
Presto Pesto in NE
Hey Raimie! Just leave out the cheese. Half the time I don't even use it!
DeleteI'm so glad my tastes have changed! And your tastes seem like they've gotten better too :)
This looks so delicious! I am going to make some right now!Glad you stopped by my blog so I found you! I will add you to my daily reads! :)
ReplyDeleteLove this blog! :) Looks delicious and i'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteI seriously want to eat at your house. Like every meal. YUM.
ReplyDeleteyum yum!!!
ReplyDeletei have a question:do you grow your basil outside? if so, do you have problems with squirrels or other animals?