[Cooking] Quick pesto

[karohemd]

My organic box this week had surprise free basil (and garlic). Far too much basil for just flavouring or decorating a dish with and it wouldn't have kept so there was only one option: pesto.
Ingredients:
bunch of basil, washed
garlic (to taste, at least two cloves)
heaped tbsp pine kernels (toasted/dry fried)
grated parmesan or pecorino (to taste, about 1 tbsp)
a good extra virgin olive oil (enough to make a slightly runny paste)

Method:
Blitz all the dry ingredients in a food processor, adding the olive oil in stages until a fragrant, slightly runny paste has formed. A good tablespoon full will flavour one portion of pasta. You can keep it in a jar with a screwtop lid in the fridge for a few weeks but make sure to keep it topped up with olive oil so it doesn't dry out and go off.

Comments

[dantesspirit]

Hey you !

Thanks for the comment on the Pierogi post over on IJ (WolfSilverOak there).

They're really easy, if time comsuming, so I think YOU should make some! }:P

That pesto looks amazing!

[karohemd]

In my tiny kitchen with only myself to feed and no freezer it wouldn't be worth it, otherwise I would. :)

I was really surprised at how bright and colourful it came out, it's a lot darker now. I added a spoonful to my bowl of broccoli&stilton soup this evening, gave it an interesting kick.

[dantesspirit]

I bet if you tried, you could quarter the pierogi recipe and make some just for yourself.}:P

If you have a favorite pasta dough recipe, you could use that, and just one or two potatoes, less onion, less cheese, etc.}:P

I think you should make some anyway. LOL.

I have a bunch of sweet Basil outback (and Magic Michael and Thai) that needs harvesting. I think I'll pick up some fresh garlic this week and make your pesto.}:P

[susanofstohelit.livejournal.com]

it also freezes well - a trick is to line an ice cube tray with plastic wrap and freeze the pesto in single servings.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

having a freezer would help... but yes, good tip for others.

[sea-of-flame.livejournal.com]

Presumably you could use those icecube bags in a similar fashion....

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful colour fresh pesto has!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

It was the main reason I posted this. :o)

[djonma.livejournal.com]

Damn that looks good!

I have a challenge for you... think of something as a good alternative to pine nuts in pesto!
It has to be nut free, seed free, gluten free :-)

Basil, garlic and oil I can do. I can also get vegan parmesan stuff.

I do love pesto though and I'm trying to work out how to make my own since I shouldn't be having pine nuts anymore. (I know, they're not tree nuts, but the advice is to avoid all tree nuts, plus all nuts, plus pine kernels definitely. I'm sticking with sesame seeds for as long as I can!)
My tired brain is kind of hitting a wall though, as the pine kernels do give it a bit of a kick.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Nut free nuts? That's indeed a challenge. ;)
Somebody on the internet suggested cashews (which aren't nuts, despite often being called cashew nuts) so they might work? Tapioca was also mentioned.
If not, just leave them out, they don't add flavour, more bulk/texture.
How about sawdust?

[djonma.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately Cashews are treenuts, and my allergy is a treenut one.

Eww sawdust!

Actually having mentioned sesame above, I'm vaguely wondering how well a tiny bit of tahini would go in pesto..

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Always worth a try. Recipes aren't set in stone. :o)

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Cor thanks, I'll try that with my enormous basil plant of doom.