The Worlds Best Basil and Garlic Pesto!
87
Summers best flavours fresh or from the freezer year round.
Oddly enough this recipe was given to me by my best friends Grandma. What's odd is that they were Polish. Babtcha (that's what we called her) was a barely five foot tall, stooped over in the middle 86 year old cantankerous old lady. Who even at that age dug up her own garden. (She lived to be 101 and still worked 1/2 her garden). I'm not talking about a puny little plot no it was almost 1/4 of an acre and she grew most of the veggies for the whole family and half the neighborhood.
Her favorite was basil and she grew the most beautiful green and purple basil in a 10'x10' section. And at least 15 12' long rows of garlic.
She made home made perogies weekly with three different flavor fillings. Naturally the traditional potato and bacon and cottage cheese and bacon were the best. But her adaptation of pesto with Romano cheese filled ones also covered with pesto topping perogies were absolutely plate licking awesome.
Babtcha's original recipe called for hazelnuts. I use either pine nuts or hazelnuts which ever I happen to have on hand. I guess the pine nuts give the recipe a more mediterranean taste. You should try both and then adapt which ever you prefer.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cups fresh basil leaves (nice and green discard brown or dry leaves)
- 1/2 cup cilantro or parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (I add an extra bit if cheese is too fresh or a couple of tablespoons of ground dry Parmesan)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 6-7 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. (preferably freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 cup 'extra virgin' Olive oil.(The best quality you can afford as this gives the pesto such an important flavor)
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar or splenda (I use 3-4 drops of liquid stevia)
Methodology:
- Pluck well washed and drained basil leaves off the stems. (when basil starts producing flower tops I pinch off 3-4" off the top of the plant that way the plant will still grow and the remaining leaves grow extra nice and big) Pack leaves extra tightly into measuring cup.
- Combine peeled garlic with salt in food-processor give it a quick swirl then add remaining ingredients except for cheese. process until all smooth and blended (take full advantage of the heavenly aroma) now add cheese a quick swirl just to blend together.
Serve over freshly cooked pasta or for a special treat over my Hungarian potato noodles. (recipe hub available) Pesto is also very great served with chicken or fish. I also add it regularly to my stir-fries.
This makes about 1 1/2 cups Pesto!
All summer while the basil is growing in the garden I keep making these large batches of pesto. I usually use up half for meals over pasta etc. the rest I freeze. Freezing is really the safest way to preserve the awesome summer flavours. I have ice-cube trays that I use just for this. (The plastic trays discolor even with only one use) Once frozen I plop the pesto cubes into ziplocks, 10-12 per bag then store them in large tightly seal-able Tupperware containers. They keep well for 6-8 months. (I'm told, I never have them around for that long).
In the fall at the end of the growing season when there just seems to be too much basil left I also freeze some without the cheese and nuts. This is great to use as flavorings for stews or beef stir-fries.
This is an international recipe: Pesto being an Italian specialty; the recipe perfected by a Polish Lady given to me in Canada and served over my native Hungarian potato noodles...I would say this is just the most perfect and the worlds best pesto ever...
This recipe dedicated to Babtcha; hope you have all the heavenly soil to dig around in, that you were hoping for, up there.
|
The Biggest Loser Cookbook: More Than 125 Healthy, Deli
Current Bid: $6.97
|
|
Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200 Two Book Set
Current Bid: $24.97
|
|
Hungry Girl by Lisa Lillien 200 Under 200 Calories
Current Bid: $14.29
|
|
The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps by Biggest Loser NEW
Current Bid: $14.97
|
|
Gifts in a Jar Recipe Book FREE SHIPPING you print
Current Bid: $.99
|
|
Biggest Loser Family Cookbook: Budget-Friendly Meals Yo
Current Bid: $5.96
|
|
Thats Amore! Romantic Dinner For Two - Italian Gourmet Food Gift Basket
Price: $49.99
|
|
Classic Italian Amaretti from Verona
Price: $2.99
|
|
Carnaroli Riso di Molinella
Price: $6.99
List Price: $6.99 |
|
Classic Pasta Gift Basket with Gourmet Sauces, Olive Oil, Italian Cookies, Pasta Fork
Price: $52.95
List Price: $49.94 |
|
Le Veneziane Italian Gluten Free Corn Pasta Fettuce 250
Price: $3.99
|
- Safe Grilling/BBQ 101
If you're like me you can't wait for the first warm enough weather to have a barbecue get-together. This summer, why not enjoy all those grills without worrying about the harmful bacteria that could be... - Guide To Wine Appreciation
By no means can I call myself a pro. I just enjoy a glass of wine and have tried to dissect the many different types and flavours offered. First of all what is wine? Mentions of wine can be found in History... - Pizza Crust
The secret to making a great pizza crust at home is really not that hard to figure out. It's just a three letter word. Drum roll please...Eggs... Every person has their own idea about what the perfect... - How to make The BEST Mac & Cheese Casserole
When my kids were growing up I never seemed to know how many to make dinner for. There were always a couple of extra - 1 Year hub-versary!
October 22nd 2007 a day in history... my history that is, a year ago I found my new home away from home. HUBPAGES. To give you the long tour (the short one is just too boring ...I've always wanted to be a...
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
You're right there Bob. Thanks for taking a look.
regards Zsuzsy
Yummy ZB.And think of it- Basil and Garlic have so many medicinal values.I have to try this.
Keep feeding us more.Love your hubs.
Thanks Zsuzsy for adding this great recipe. Your grandmother is inspiring. I will definitely try this, all healthy ingredients. Thanks a lot. Cheers :)
Abhinaya! I missed you! Great to see you back and a nice new avatar too. Glad you stopped by. Hope you enjoy the pesto.
regards Zsuzsy
CGull it was actually my girlfriends Grandma whose recipe I shared with you. Hope you enjoy it.
regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy- you've done it again! You manage to entertain me with an endearing story, make me hungry and envious all at the same time (of your talent at such great Hub pages). I want to go out and plant little basil starts right now, but its too cold where we live. This sounds easy and delicious. I can't wait! Steph
I love pesto, and this recipe sounds great. I can't wait for the weather to warm up because I love eating pesto dishes when it is nice out.
Steph! Thanks for your nice comments. Pesto is one of my faves I hope you will enjoy it too.
regards Zsuzsy
Stacie! Thanks for taking a look. Right now I'm rejoicing because its nice and warm outside.(75 degrees after that long and dragged out winter seems just great)...actually maybe even warm enough to spark up the old BBQ.
regards Zsuzsy
This sounds delicious. I wish I would have had Babtcha for a neighbor!
Grandmathers were/are masters of cooking art. They were never satisfied with their work, like: 'i should have done that and added this...to be even better..., yet, the dishes were just 'too good to be true'.
Nice words about your Polish grandma Zsuzsy Bee..I think, you've got her good gens, as well.
Pesto in many different forms is our life here around Mediterranean
Women do not grow like that anymore. they were amazing old ladies. Full of grit and guts. Thats why they were so healthy. Not sitting at computers like us (dumb bums) getting fat.
Sound like a great recipie have bookmarked it thanks for that.
I don't usually like coming to these foody hubs as they always make me soo hungry!! but im eating as i type;)and this recipes looks tasty and very easy to make!!
Lunch anyone?!;)
Angela! Babtcha was an amazing old lady...for ever grumping at the young people of the world. Just the most cantankerous yet good hearted till the end. No one went hungry when she was around and could do something about it...full of hot peppers
regards Zsuzsy
Solarshingles! Babtcha was my girlfriends Grandma. Thanks for taking a look.
regards Zsuzsy
Eileen! Thanks for taking a look.
regards Zsuzsy
Compu-smart! Thanks for taking a look. This Pesto is really great. You should try it.
regards Zsuzsy
Love the Hub -- I love peer-Oh-Gee. My favorite are potato pierogi w/butter & marscapone cheese.
Zsuzsy, another wonderful recipe / story hub! I grow basil and prepare it very similarly, including freezing in the ice cube trays. Pesto is also a delicious spread for grilled vegetable sandwiches.
My babtchie was a wonderful cook, like your best friend's. Reading your hub made me think of my grandmother and the wonderful smells in her kitchen, of which the predominant was always cabbage! My favorite food of all time is her potato and onion pierogie, pan fried in butter, and smothered in sour cream. Oh, I am so hungry now!
Minnie's Mom! Thanks for taking a look. I've never tried the perogees with marscapone. I will try next time.
regards Zsuzsy
Sally! Glad you came by. I just hope my granddaughters will remember me with as much love and great memories as I have for mine and my adopted ones.
Thanks for your kind comments regards Zsuzsy
zsuzsy- I love pesto..I planted basil this year just for the pesto! :)
http://www.copperwiki.org/index.php/Basil
The servants of Yama do not come to this house in the vicinity of which there is a grove of Tulsi, due to the house having the nature of a holy place. O brahmana, the Tulsi grove is auspicious and removes all sins. She (the Tulsi plant) was formerly planted by Vishnu for the good of the worlds. The leaf and the flower of the Tulsi are valued in all good works. There is the proximity of Vishnu, where there is a Tulsi grove. Brahma also (lives) there, and also Lakshmi with all the hosts of gods. PADMA PURANA IV. 22. 2
Marye! I'm still digging my new plot as I'm making a new veggie garden. Another 3-4 weeks and then it's planting time around here. I also have a big section set aside for Basil in my herb garden.
regards Zsuzsy
Madhavisb! I didn't know Basil originated from India. I will read up on it's great history. Thank you for sharing this info.
regards Zsuzsy
Decrescendo! You're very welcome. Thanks for taking a look.
regards Zsuzsy
Gardens are forever! Thanks for showing us again, the wonders of homemade anything. Though garlic and I are still learning how to get along, I'm aware of its health benefits so I struggle to endure until I love it. I make pesto - and will try this wonderful recipe, I'm fond of pine nuts -- always enjoy your writings.
My dad could grow anything - the plants knew he loved them. He always had mint growing by the front and back door...you inhaled deeply coming and going!! Thanks for bringing that memory back to me!!
Mariesue! Thanks. I have fennel growing at my front entrance and the back door too. (If you've ever grown it you'll know what I mean....It loves to grow anywhere and multiplies and multiplies and multiplies) The only good thing about these 5-6 foot tall furry bushes is they smell heavenly. Because of their great aroma I even used to include a stem or two in my cut flower arrangements that I took to my sewing shop weekly. By the way you know you can get scent-less garlic too. Mind you its not quite as flavorfull but passable.
regards Zsuzsy
Babtcha sounds like an inspiring figure and a neat neighbor. One of my neighbor's is kind of amazing too, she is in her seventies had knee replacement twice, broke a bone near her shoulder healed well and still works! She drives about 50 miles round trip to and from work.
I remember enjoying perogies but with a simple potato and cheese filling. This recipe seems completely royal and maybe should be enjoyed with champagne. I think these recipes are fantastic.
Hi Raven! Glad you came for a visit. I hope I'm going to be able to go as strong in twenty years. I know for sure I won't want to dig up my garden by hand because that is just plain hard. (I'm just starting a new plot for my veggies digging and getting rid of the old grass and weeds...yuk)
Hope you have a chance to try this pesto sometime regards Zsuzsy
Sounds great, I will give it a shot. Got any good Italian bread recipes?
Hello Peter! I have the very best recipe for Italian Bread. I'll get it into a hub for you next week. How is your wife? How are you two holding up? Soon Baby time right?
warmest regards to you Zsuzsy
this sounds so yummy!
Vanessa! Thanks for taking a look.
regards Zsuzsy
I'll look into the Fennel I love cooking with it....I've never been around a lot of it fresh tho...and I love the smell of fresh herbs...anything growing. I have big white petunias in small beds outside and in a pot....my mom loved them
my passion is flowers...but i do tend to kill things with too much love. LOL
I will look for the unscented garlic. I like the smell -- in light versions. There's a restaurant nearby that reeeeks of it when you go in - it nearly knocks you down.
great restaurant tho...LOL
Marisue! The fennel plant when it grows nice and tall has the feathery look. If you take a couple of hands-full and throw it into the bath tub it will be the most relaxing ever. Fennel is also a great tea for tummy upsets for Babies and adults alike. zs
Thanks for this recipe! I planted some basil last year and after a very shaky start (it was practically wiped out by some very large, very fat green caterpillars), it has staged a dramatic recovery - so I need to find ways of using it up before it takes over the little garden bed!
Marisa! Glad you came for a visit. How is life treating you? Hope you have a chance to try the pesto.
regards Zsuzsy
This sounds great! You certainly have a vast wealth of delicious pecipes, and amazing stories! Thanks, from a loyal fan!!!
rmr! Thanks for taking a look and for the comments.
regards Zsuzsy
What a wonderful hub! Sounds yummy. I'll have to try it this summer when the fresh herbs appear at our farmer's market.
bluerabbit! Thanks for coming by to check out my hub.
regards Zsuzsy
Wow, your granma sounded like an amazing lady.
I think that keeping active keeps you young - at any age.
Thanks for this hub - I love basil pesto and I'm going to try it out. :)
Naturebeds! Thanks for taking a look. Babtcha was my best friends Grandma. I was lucky She treated me just like her own grandkids. She was a great lady.
regards Zsuzsy
I don't think Ive ever had pesto -- I want to try it! Great hub!
PS... How do you pronounce Babtcha? Looks very similar to Babi?ka :) (that ? should be a c with a hacek, sorry!)
Hi Isabella! How goes the battle? I'm glad you came by for a visit. If you like the flavor of Basil you will love pesto. It's especially delicious on Hungarian potato noodles.
You know for the life of me I can't recall what her real name was. Even my friends Mom and Dad along with all the gandkids and (me) always only called her Babtcha. My friends little brother always made special pictures for her and that was how he wrote her name too. I'm sure in Polish it would probably be spelled differently.
regards Zsuzsy
OH!!! I love basil pesto so much that I could eat it until I must MAKE myself stop! I am a HUGE garlic fan as well. I have been teased because I would sneak garlic into so many different things! I even love it on cheeseburgers! (And it smells so delicious when it's cooking).
Thanks so much for your receipe...I wish I had a huge batch right now!
You're very welcome Blessedmommy! This is really a very pleasant tasting well balanced pesto. Hope you have a chance to try it over the summer.
thanks for coming by regards Zsuzsy
This is a wonderful recipe for pesto. I love anything with fresh herbs. I wonder if you left out the sugar if it would make much difference. I'm trying to stay on my alkaline diet and everything else in the recipe would be a go for me.
Ok....now we are sizzling girl! I am very excited about trying this. I like good food and pesto sure helps make a meal better! Yummy yummy in my tummy!
Hi Karen! Thanks for visiting. I don't think leaving out the subar will make that much of a difference but it does somehow smoothen out the flavors. You can also use splenda oe like me the all natural Stevia drops. You should check out Stevia (its an herb too) I think they are saying that it supposedly is 300x sweeter than sugar.
regards Zsuzsy
Hello Pat! Happy to meet you. Glad you came by. I hope you have a chance to try the pesto it really is great.
regards Zsuzsy
Your recipe sound great. I can wait to try it.
Awesome! I'm going to try this as soon as my Basil grows up enough to harvest.
Le Tigre! Thanks for taking a look.
regards Zsuzsy
Thsi sounds really delicious. I could eat a salad made of nothing but cilantro, but I'm eager to try this recipe with the cilantro and basil. And stevia! That's a great ingredient for me to use.
Thanks for the good recipe! :)
Inkcarts! glad you came for a visit. I'm getting antsy to plant my basil outside...by May 15th it should be safe from night frost.
regards Zsuzsy
Hello Patty my friend! How are you? Life treating you okay?
Honestly this is a really the best pesto recipe. This is the first thing I run out of from my freezer every year.
regards Zsuzsy
Hi Zsuzsy! - I'm doing pretty well. Nice weather and the flowers are all blooming! How are things up there? I must get some fresh basil very soon.
Patty! We had a gorgeous day today. still a bit cool but the beautiful sun is out the grass is the greenest of green and needs cutting. Life is good.
zs
Yes Zsuzsy, I've heard of stevia. Funny thing though, with this alkaline diet I haven't had any sugar cravings. And I thought the diet would be difficult, but so far so good.
You share your alkaline diet I don't think I have heard of it before.
zs
Sounds like a great twist on pesto. I think we will give it a try. We decided to grow basil this summer, just to make pesto :)
dindin! I've increased my basil patch because I never seem to have enough. Pesto is always the one thing I run out of in the middle of January.
thanks for taking a look
regards Zsuzsy
great hub! love pesto on lots of things--use it lots of different ways.
tried perogies once--we were at the perogie festival outside of Detroit, I think. Didn't care for them! To doughy or something--just didn't like the taste or the sauces.
Thank you for taking a look and your comment Ruthie. Home made perogies the way Babtcha used to make them, were finger-lickin-good.
regards Zsuzsy
oooh now I'm hungry Zsuzsy. I can hear my tummy grumbling LOL Now let me see if I could make something like this. I super duper like eating pesto spaghetti. By the way, hey I see your face now on your avatar...nice to see you peeking through. :)
Good morning Michelle! I preserve and freeze basil and still every winter that is what I run out of first. I guess I should grow a field full of it...can you imagin how heavenly that would smell...hmmmmmm good. I'm always glad when you come for a visit. regards Zsuzsy
Mmmmmmm..... pesto. And this is almost exactly my recipe too. I'll have to try the lemon juice next time. It's really good on home made gnocci.
Hot Dorkage! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting. Let me know what you think. regards Zsuzsy
Ooooh.. glad I found this, sounds wonderful. I grow lots of things, but never basil. (I know someone nearby that does) I also hope digging in the garden = longevity.
I'm also a piroge fan-- but get my frozen.
Rochelle! I am in overdrive now. Between September and October I do most of my canning and preserving. I added an extra patch of Basil this season and it was a great growing season for me so I hope I won't run out in the middle of February like last year.
Thanks for coming by regards Zsuzsy
I have heard that basil is a good source of vitamin A, and also has anti-cancer properties. A recent study also suggests that it may significantly slow the aging process. Plus it's just plain tasty, especially when it's paired with a wonder-food like garlic! Happy canning, Zsuzsy!
Actually I'm getting ready to make my dinner... guess what I'm having... you guessed right pesto on potato noodles. Basil is the best in every which way.
thanks for coming by regards Zsuzsy
i just love pesto!!! you're making me hungry !!! i'll try this recipe over the weekend,thanks for sharing :)
mhei! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting
regards Zsuzsy
OO, this recipe looks so good, I am vegetarian, so its perfect dish for me.........will have to try this one soon !! Thanks :)
rimsflorida! I know you'll love it it is really the best. I have three more portions in the freezer which will have to last till the summer when the new crops of basil and garlic will be ready.
greetings to you from Canada Zsuzsy
ummmmm.... i can smell the smell from here :D We always use basil at home while marinating meat and stuff. It gives an extravagant smell and taste!
Uriel aren't computers the best... they actually give the scents too along with the words (hehehe) We had a severe frost warning yesterday so I brought in the rest of stuff from the garden along with the last of the basil. I have my work cut out for me to get it all processed today.
glad you came for a visit
regards Zsuzsy
Food in the News
- Deer Hunt Good News for Food ShelvesKAAL Austin4 hours ago
(ABC 6 NEWS) -- The kick off to the deer season means good news for Minnesota food shelves. With demand up 50% from last year, local food banks are hoping more hunters will drop off their deer to approved vendors, so they can get that meat back to hungry families.
- FOOD SECURITYAllAfrica.com19 hours ago
- Food security refers to access by all members of the family at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. At a minimum, a food secure family should have at its disposal nutritionally adequate and safe food or the ability to acquire such food in socially acceptable ways.
- Foodstuffs, Progressive duopoly keeps supermarket prices high3news1 second ago
There was confirmation today that New Zealand grocery prices have risen faster than every country but one in the developed world.
Bob Ewing says:
2 years ago
Yum, garlic and basil, how can you go wrong.