NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Late lover of pesto

by

Friends – why have I waited so long to try pesto?
It’s truly delicious.
We have an abundance of basil in the garden this year and I was looking for easy ways to use it. For some reason, I’ve never tried pesto. I think it was due in part to the strange green color. And also because I never have pine nuts on hand, and really don’t even know what pine nuts are.
But, now that I own a food processor, I knew it was time to give it a go.
And then I found a recipe using walnuts. Walnuts… walnuts I can get behind. Everything in this recipe was in my pantry or fridge. Now, I’ve made two batches of pesto using the Amazing Homemade Pesto recipe via The Giver’s Log. 
Jamie’s Amazing Homemade Pesto

(via The Giver’s Log)

4 cups packed basil leaves
5 cloves garlic
½ cup butter
2 cups parmesan cheese (I’ve also subbed in other cheeses when I was out of parmesan)
olive oil
a handful of walnuts

Add first four ingredients into food processor in the following order: basil leaves, garlic, sliced butter and cheese. Pulse and gradually add olive oil until mixture is the consistency of thick paste. (Taste to see if it needs more of anything.) Add nuts and continue to blend/pulse. Once done, spoon into jars and keep in fridge until ready to enjoy. Yields about two cups.

This pesto is truly delightful. I’ve used it on pizza (Ryan and I are still on a pizza kick), cheese tortellini (ohmygoodness) and even just by the spoon (don’t tell).
With fresh salad greens from our garden, this may be a new staple. Unfortunately, Ryan has determined that he is not a pesto fan. Although I probably could have guessed it since he’s also not a basil fan. But that’s okay, I just make his pizza/pasta with tomato sauce and mine with pesto. All is right in the world.
Are you a fan of the pesto?

Comments

  1. I know I’m a bit late to the comment party on this one, but I’ve been away, that’s my excuse.

    All I can say is… PESTO IS THE BEST…O!!!!!

    I cannot wait until I get my act into gear enough to plant an army of basil plants so I can do exactly what you’ve done! I’m thinking of repurposing an old bathtub as a herb garden. Just have to sort myself out and decide whether the herb garden is a higher priority than shelves for my kitchen or setting up my home office… hmm….

  2. I love pesto! I already have a dozen batches in the freezer to last me to next summer. I’ve never used butter though. Too bad he doesn’t like it. I use it as a dip with pitas for lunch- add some cheese and deli turkey and I’m a happy girl.

  3. Pesto is a-ok in my book. But I’ve always shyed (sp?) away from making my own because pine nuts are stupid expensive. But this walnut news might have put me back in the game.

    p.s. I’m getting so excited to come visit! I’m like, what am I going to wear to meet Kim??!?

  4. We love pesto too….but the issue is the whole nut allergy thing so we can never do store bought or at restaurant without being extremely careful. I have never really thought to make my own but since we have tons of basil we need to try it. Maybe a nut free version?

  5. I LOVE pesto! We grow like 12 basil plants each year so I can make enough throughout the summer to freeze and last all year. I’ve never seen butter in a pesto recipe though! Here’s the link to my recipe, if you’d like to try it: http://oneluckycouple.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/recipe-pesto

    And this is my favorite dinner to make with it. Pesto pasta (usually ziti) with grilled chicken loaded with crushed red pepper flakes: http://oneluckycouple.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/pesto-pasta-with-grilled-chicken. It’s good with sliced smoked sausage or shrimp too!

    Love your blog. I’ve never commented, but I read all the time!

  7. Pesto is sooo yummy! Put a little on a deli sandwich and it takes it from boring to amazing!
    I recently made your cheesy potato recipe for a cookout and I had grown men come up to me thanking me for making it! They said they were the BEST they ever had and insisted for the recipe. I made it again for a family picnic and again everyone asked for the recipe!!!
    you. rock. 🙂

  10. I love pesto but have never made it. I really need to do it soon since we have a ton of basil too. My fav recipe is boil penne pasta about 3 minutes in add chopped asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Boil until al dente (?). Drain the pasta except for about 1/2 a cup of the water. Add the pesto and let sit. Oh it is soooo good! We grill chicken marinated in balsamic vinegerette dressing and mix with the pasta salad. Yum!

  12. I just bought some recently and it is so good. I had had it before but forgot how great it was!! I can feel it going straight to my hips when I eat it too. 🙂

    I spread a tiny amount on a cracker and put a piece of cheese on the cracker and toasted in the toaster and it was a delightful snack!! Like your fiestaware. I have that too.

  14. I love pesto. You know you can freeze it right? We make it and freeze it in ice cube trays to have in the winter. I ADORE Pesto Chicken Salad. You just mix shredded chicken, pesto and some diced tomatoes. It rocks.

  15. I love pesto! I just recently made some that included fresh mushrooms. So yummy! Sometimes when I don’t have quite enough basil or when I just feel like it, I throw in other herbs from my garden. Oregano, thyme, rosemary. Try adding a squeeze of lemon and/or some some of the zest. It brightens it up. Also… I sub in what ever nuts I have. Pecans are good, too.

  17. I loooooooove (LOVE LOVE!) pesto. When we lived in Germany, we frequented this little pasta bar run by an Italian guy who was serious about his pesto. He would only offer it every once in a while when he had some extremely fresh, good-quality basil. And oh my gosh … I still dream about his linguine with pesto sauce … *drool*