In my garden I'm growing basil for the first time. I tried making pesto with it the other day and found this recipe from Allrecipes.com . I modified a few things but it was really good. I served it with noodles and chicken for supper. To make it into a sauce for the noodles, I just thinned it down and stretched it by adding some of the water I used to boil the noodles in to it until it was the right consistency and could be mixed throughout the noodles.
Any other people have ideas of what they do with their fresh basil?
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup chopped pine nuts
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
olive oil mixed in until it's the right consistency
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS: In a food processor, blend together basil leaves, nuts, garlic, and cheese. Pour in oil slowly while still mixing. Stir in salt and pepper.
Untitled Comment
Posted by Patti on Mon 16 Jul 2007 at 05:42 - Link
I grew basil for the first time last year, and it was so delicious. I chopped it up and mixed it with Roma tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and a bit of Parmesan cheese and made a Brushetta. We cut up French bread and toasted it and then spread the Brushetta on top of it. (We copied this from a restaurant...not sure which one, maybe Olive Garden)
I have also used fresh basil and roasted garlic as a pizza topping. AGain, courtesy of a restaurant (Old Chicago Pizza, I think).
I need to get out and pinch off some of my basil, because it is going to seed.
what to do w/ Basi
Posted by Anonymous on Mon 10 Sep 2007 at 12:33 - Link
Try this creamy variation of plain pesto on pasta:
Use penne pasta (cook first)
To your 1 cup of simmering pesto add a large container of heavy whipping cream (about 2 cups?) mixed with 2 Tbl of flour. Simmer 2 minutes. Pour over broken pieces of smoked salmon OR chicken and the penne pasta.
Sinfully delicious!
You can roll up basil leaves and cheese in chicken (pound chicken flat), then drizzle pesto over the top.
Also, pizza with strips of basil is devine!
By the way, Love your blog, thanks for sharing!
-Illoura
Our Journey Into The Country - A Faith Walk