Now that summer is here, I hope you are growing some basil. It is one of my favorite herbs to grow and use. However, I tend to plant a lot of it and then have too much, which is when I make some pesto. Pesto is incredibly easy to make, and it tastes 800 times better than the store-bought stuff. It requires a few simple ingredients, and you can put it in pasta, on pizza, mix it in with some tuna (more on that later), put it on your eggs...the possibilities are endless!
I've never done this because I don't have ice cube trays, but you can pour the pesto into the trays and freeze. When frozen, pop them out and place them in a freezer bag. Just use one of two of them when needed. Great idea!
I know that toasting the nuts and garlic adds to the work, but toasted nuts really brings out the flavor, and toasting the garlic will get rid of the harsh flavor. I definitely recommend you don't skip those steps!
Homemade Pesto Recipe
Print this recipe
3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 cups packed basil leaves
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and toast the pine nuts in a single layer for 5-10 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
Heat a small skillet on medium heat and toast the garlic in the peels for about 7 minutes until fragrant and spotty brown, flipping the garlic often. Let cool before peeling.
Peel the garlic cloves, add all the other ingredients to a blender or food processor and mix all the ingredients together till smooth. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Source: Cook's Illustrated
I've never done this because I don't have ice cube trays, but you can pour the pesto into the trays and freeze. When frozen, pop them out and place them in a freezer bag. Just use one of two of them when needed. Great idea!
I know that toasting the nuts and garlic adds to the work, but toasted nuts really brings out the flavor, and toasting the garlic will get rid of the harsh flavor. I definitely recommend you don't skip those steps!
Homemade Pesto Recipe
Print this recipe
3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 cups packed basil leaves
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and toast the pine nuts in a single layer for 5-10 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
Heat a small skillet on medium heat and toast the garlic in the peels for about 7 minutes until fragrant and spotty brown, flipping the garlic often. Let cool before peeling.
Peel the garlic cloves, add all the other ingredients to a blender or food processor and mix all the ingredients together till smooth. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Source: Cook's Illustrated
