Great Basil this year. Pesto time!

[Ruth n Jersey]

My garden is not doing well because of all the rain but my basil is growing like crazy. I cut it back and in a few days I have twice as much. I made 3 different recipes of pesto today. Just slight variations but a little difference in taste. The one thing I didn't add was pine nuts. I never add them. Way to expensive. I don't think it matters. One recipe called for a bit of lemon juice. I think it was added to retain the color. Another had grated parm folded in and one had a couple of tablespoons of butter along with the olive oil. We all liked that one best.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Mmmm, looks so good Ruth, I love pesto....especially pesto pizza.

 

[AprilT]

Looks very good. I used to grow basil, just looking at your pictures I can almost smell it from memory.

 

[Shalimar]

Ruth, recipes, pleeeeeez?

 

[PopsnTuff]

Mmmm, looks so good Ruth, I love pesto....especially pesto pizza.

Count me in too even tho I like oregano more than basil....I sprinkle it on everything at dinner time.....

 

[Lethe200]

I think pine nuts were used as a supplementary source of protein in The Old Days. I agree they're not really necessary now. I, too, make mine without them.

It's interesting experimenting with different EVOOs to make pesto. The peppery ones are great with pastas.

I also freeze pesto in small containers. Lasts a long time in the freezer. I'll often take a teaspoonful out, add a little more EVOO, and use it to dress a caprese salad with a touch of lemon pepper added. DH loves this, it's his favorite salad.

 

[RadishRose]

Oh Ruth, I did not grow pots of basil or rosemary this year. Now I'm kicking myself!

Your pestos sound great. You can use ground walnuts instead of pine nuts, too. I wonder about ground pecans?

My friends and I would pack up excess cuttings of fresh basil in zip lock bags with enough olive oil to cover and freeze them. Later, add to homemade tomato sauce- especially good with Italian sausage.

A few leaves of basil on a ham sandwich is good, too!

 

[fmdog44]

I am green with envy.

 

[IKE]

There are several types of basil but we always grow the 'Thai basil' because of it's slightly milder flavor when compared to the Italian version......this spring we kept just three plants after thinning and it has done so well that the three have all grown together and it darn near looks like a shrub.

 

[RadishRose]

Thai basil huh? I wonder.....

 

[Camper6]

It seems to be a great year for gardens this year especially tomatoes. Plenty on the vine. Gardeners are giving them away.

If this is an example of global warming, bring it on.

 

[Keesha]

It seems to be a great year for gardens this year especially tomatoes. Plenty on the vine. Gardeners are giving them away.

If this is an example of global warming, bring it on.

I have to agree. With the incredible weather we had this year the gardens really out did themselves including tomatoes but that basil looks lovely Ruth.,I love pesto sauce especially freshly made. That’s a nice healthy load of leaves you have there and your pesto looks delicious. Ummmm! So put some extra noodles on for tomorrow and I’ll be over for dinner. :grin: