This year we planted a couple of squares of basil in our square foot garden. This photo was taken about a month ago, and the plants have grown a lot since then! I was excited to try some new recipes using our fresh basil. Including homemade pesto.
Pesto is simple to make and made from such simple ingredients!
3 cups fresh basil
1 c. olive oil
4 cloves garlic
1 1/2 c. nuts (I used walnuts)
1/4. Parmesan cheese
We had this over pasta and it was delicious, but a little bit goes A LONG way! I put too much on my serving of pasta and it was so rich. Next time I'll just put a table spoon or so and toss it really well to coat, but it was delicious!
Have you ever had bruschetta?
I bought some baguettes and sliced them in small sections and set them under the broiler for a couple of minutes (just until they started to toast) then I spooned on some homemade bruschetta on them. Fresh tomatoes, basil...it was absolutely delicious!
I made it by dicing up tomatoes, adding some chopped basil, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt. Just make it to your taste...like an Italian salsa and spoon it onto chips, pita bread, or baguette slices.
Spaghetti With Sautéed Chicken and Grape Tomatoes
Here is another recipe that I have made twice with our basil. I love Gina's Skinny Recipes and plan on doing a post sometime reviewing our favorite recipes from her site! This pasta was amazing and the flavor added from the fresh basil was incredible!
recipe & image source here.
So now I'm not sure what else to make with my basil. I have lots of it! Maybe more pesto and freeze it? I'm open to suggestions!
Your pesto looks soooo good! My basil is in a pot and it isn't getting that big, I don't think I have 3 cups of leaves.
ReplyDeleteBut you can also put the leaves on pizza (under the cheese so they don't burn) or hamburgers, mmmm!
Oh my gosh that looks good!
ReplyDeleteConnie
It is very easy to prepare in short time. My mom made these kinds of cookies for my birthday one year. I cook it cream style and freeze it. It is delicious. We do not put any ingredients in it. It seems to freeze better and last longer.
ReplyDeleteEar plugs nrr
Okay, that pesto looks delicious! Also...YAY! Thanks for the giveaway, I can't believe I won!
ReplyDeleteBoth of those look really good!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite recipe that uses basil is by Giada De Laurentiis. It's Chicken Stew on the food network site, Everyday Italian.
It's what I make when there's no time for anything else--easy, healthy and everyone loves it :-)
Great post! I love basil and your pesto looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt's not exactly a recipe- but today I stood at the counter with grape tomatoes, fresh mozzy and plucked and rinsed basil leaves one by one off of my basil plant to snack on... So good- and quick too!
That pesto is gorgeous! Yum!
ReplyDeleteI like to make a simple syrup w/ basil, and add it to lemonade. so delicious, especially at parties when you are pregnant... like I was recently! (My baby girl is now 10 weeks). Enjoy!
Looks so good!! I featured your post on my TT&J facebook page :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jen
I love pesto and make it every year with the basil from my garden. I freeze it in ice cube trays and then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. that way I can just pull out a cube or two of pesto at a time! It freezes really well and is such a treat in the dead of winter!
ReplyDeleteyou can also chop the basil and freeze with water in ice cube trays, pop out and store in a freezer bag. then when you need fresh basil just take one out and let it thaw on a paper towel. works with most herbs and barely any prep time!
ReplyDelete