Every summer I grow Basil and it thrives here in eastern North Carolina.What can you do with all this basil? Well, I make Pesto and freeze it to enjoy all year.
Fresh Basil from Chloe’s Cook’s Garden
Pesto will keep a long time in the freezer. It can be frozen in ice cube trays — handy if you only need a small amount of pesto.
Basil is also easily rooted if you want to try to keep a pot inside over the winter. I just put a stem in a glass of water, then plant in soil once it shows roots.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 174kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves
- 2 large cloves garlic minced or mashed
- 1/2 cup olive oil good quality
- 2/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated is best if using pre-grated, grind in a food processor before adding to pesto
- Handful of grape tomatoes optional
Instructions
- Wash and dry the basil leaves. Peel the garlic and mash it. Put basil, garlic and oil in blender and blend until smooth. Slowly add nuts and mix.
- Remove from blender and mix in cheese. I like to blend some of the cheese in with the basil mixture
- Serving Suggestions : Serve on noodles with diced grape tomatoes as garnish. It is also very good in salad dressings or on crusty bread.
Notes
* You can use fresh spinach leaves instead of basil leaves
Yield 1 1/2 cups
** You can use walnuts or pecans instead of pine nuts
This Pesto Recipe is adapted from Craig Claiborne’s Pesto Genovese in his New York Times International Cookbook.
Nutrition
Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 0.9mg
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Write to me and let me know if you have any great uses for Pesto.
Recipe from Innkeeper Chloe at Big Mill Bed & Breakfast in Williamston, NC 252-792-8787
Eco-friendly innkeeper at Big Mill Bed & Breakfast
I am a farm girl who sailed the world, returned home to the family farm and opened Big Mill Bed and Breakfast. Join us for Business EXTENDED STAY or a quiet getaway 252-792-8787.
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