Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Pesto

Who doesn't love pesto?  Really.  I can't get enough of it during short summers here in the Willamette Valley.  I try to keep an assortment of herbs and veggies growing in the gardens at the cottages.  I probably don't have enough basil at the cottages to make a fresh batch of pesto, but here is my tried and true Jamie Oliver recipe......

½ clove of garlic, grated
salt and pepper
3 handfuls of fresh basil leaves
½ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
olive oil, optional
a squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

1. Mix garlic, salt and basil leaves in a pestle and mortar, or pulse in a food processor. Add the pine nuts and mix again.

2. Pour out into a bowl and add half the Parmesan cheese. Stir and add olive oil to make into a firm sauce.

3. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cheese until you reach the desired taste.

4. Add lemon juice.

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