Easy Pesto

Summer is here which means fresh basil, one my favourite herbs to grow is ready to harvest.  Lovely to add to a salad or torn and sprinkled on Caprese Salad but my favourite thing to do with basil is make pesto.

It's fast and easy and all you need to do is throw all the ingredients into a food processor and 'voila' done.

Serve it on pasta, drizzled over garden fresh tomatoes, add it to mayo to make a sandwich spread, add a dollop to a salad dressing, as a dip with pizza..., so many uses. 

Oh, and if you don't have enough basil.  No problem.  Top up with fresh parsley.  Don't have that, try fresh spinach or arugula.  Of course the flavour will be different but it'll still be great.  

FYI.  Growing basil is really easy.  Buy those little containers of starter basil at your local nursery.  Plant them in at least a 5 litre container using Miracle-Gro potting mixture.  (It really makes a difference).  Place them in full sun and water them well when needed.  In a couple of months, you'll have the biggest basil plant ever.

Easy Pesto

3 c. packed fresh basil leaves

4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

⅔ c. grated parmesan cheese

½ c. pine nuts

½ tsp. table salt

½ c. extra virgin olive oil

1. In a food processor add all ingredients except olive oil.  Process till large leaves broken down.  Add olive oil and process till smooth.  30 sec.
2. Use or refrigerate.  You can it in containers (I use those small plastic containers that pizza dip sauces come in when getting take out) or ice cube trays (pop them out after and place in bag).