Basil Pesto
(makes about 2 cups)
4 large handfuls fresh basil leaves, stems removed (they’re bitter)
1 cup pinenuts
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
juice of 1 lemon
salt to taste (the cheese is salty already)
olive oil
Place all ingredients in a Cuisinart and add about 1 cup olive oil. Whizz till blended, and add more olive oil if needed to get a nice creamy consistency.
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Delicious! You can also make this with parsley, cilantro, any highly-flavored green leaves. And you can use hazelnuts or almonds or any other nuts you like. In a pinch I’ve also used other hard cheeses, like a very highly aged gouda or cheddar. It’s very versatile.
We were still ready for more at lunchtime.
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(serves 4 with leftovers for lunch)
1 lb farfalle pasta
3 red bell peppers, roasted and peeled
2 tbsps olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 red onion, minced
2 tbsps Italian seasoning
sprinkle hot red pepper flakes
1 can plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
4 handfuls spinach, chiffonaded
1 handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped fine
1 cup grated pecorino or parmesan cheese
Now, do you know how to roast red peppers? Of course you may buy them in a jar, ready-roasted. But they’re usually suspended in either vinegar or oil, and let me tell you that means… slimey. Why not cut them in half, remove the seeds and put them under your oven broiler? Or if you have a gas stove, turn on a burner and hold them over the flame with tongs, turning them until they’re blackened all over? Then put them in a brown paper bag you’ve been saving from Starbucks for that purpose, and let them sweat for a few minutes, then peel. Slice small, in bite-size pieces.
And chiffonaded spinach? It’s fiddly. Lay the leaves on top of one another with the stems sticking out to…
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