Pesto
![Pesto Pasta with Chicken Pesto Pasta with sundried tomatoes, baby bok choi, peas, and grilled chicken.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3665654837_21a3d95154_m.jpg)
We bought some basil starts and planted them in our garden, but they never grew. They also got chewed by some critters. It’s a shame, because I love basil… I got a big bunch at the farmers’ market last weekend and made pesto. I like to freeze 1/2 cup portions in small reused dairy tubs and keep it on hand for last-minute dinners – float the container in hot water for a few minutes and pretty soon it’s ready to stir into hot pasta or spread on sandwich bread or pizza dough. Add white-wine vinegar or lemon juice for instant salad dressing.
![Bruschetta Pizza Seeded baguette topped with pesto, Roma tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3665654947_5e057d2182_m.jpg)
Pesto (makes 1 1/2 cup, enough for at least 3 meals)
1 large bunch fresh basil leaves, washed and torn into small pieces. (3-4 cups)
Optional: other herbs such as parsley, mint, or I’ve even used fennel fronds…
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 c. pine nuts (I like to toast them in my toaster oven, brings out the flavor…)
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 small lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Put the ingredients in the order listed in a blender or food processor. Blend until fairly smooth. Now the challenging part – scraping as much of the glowing green goodness out of the container as you possibly can!
Store in the fridge for -4 days or freeze in small containers.
Yours didn’t grow, is it because of the weather over in Oregon?
My basil grows pretty well, even a lot faster than my rosemary. I bought 3 basil starts (two 4″ and one 1-gallon), all organic from Safeway and I planted them in a large pot with organic soil from Home Depot. I didn’t add anything else, just water it everyday. May be you can try my method.
I think our starts were too small… possibly we planted them too early (too cold?) … but I don’t think we can blame Oregon weather in general. Next time I think I will put the basil it a pot where I can keep it on the porch and keep an eye on it. 🙂
Yeah, just keep trying. I don’t have a green thumb, but my hubby helps me a lot. How’s your other herbs and veggies doing? I want to plant Italian parsley but my backyard is too windy for it…