What Do You Know About Basil, Delicious Recipe For Homemade Pesto

1. 87

   crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years ago

   
   
   Basil is a member of the mint family, this easy to grow herb has a strong, pungent, peppery flavor that reminds me of licorice and cloves. It can range in color from green to purple, and it's usually available at your local supermarket either dried or fresh.
   
   It's always been a key ingredient Mediterranean cooking and it is widely grown in the southern United States.
   
   Fresh basil is easy to grow, so if you have a bumper crop I suggest you make pesto. I grow the heirloom purple basil and I often make it into a delicious homemade pesto and toss that pasta with some homemade pasta.
   
   My Pesto Recipe
   
   1. Two Cups Fresh Basil Leaves.
   2. One Fourth Cup Chopped Fine Walnuts.
   3. One Fourth Cup Olive Oil.
   4. Two Tablespoons Fresh Minced Garlic.
   5. One Teaspoon Sea Salt.
   6. One Fourth Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese.
   7. Two Tablespoons Freshly Grated Romano Cheese.
   
   Process all your ingredients in your food processor and then toss some of the pesto with fresh cooked pasta for a delicious meal.
   
   Yes I know most people and recipes say use pine nuts. But I think the walnuts are much better.
   
   You can keep fresh made pesto in a covered container in the refrigerator for two weeks.
   
   
   
   
   Homemade Pesto on Pasta

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2. 68

   novascotiamissposted 12 years ago

   I've never made pesto with walnut before but it certainly sounds interesting. I'll have to try it out some time.  I just made some pesto yesterday with blanched almonds. I use them instead of pine nuts as they are a lot cheaper. Also pine nuts from China have been known to be contaminated which caused some people to have a bad metallic taste in their mouth, which they could hardly get rid off. I usually make quite a bit of pesto and I put it into small dishes and freeze it for later use. I don't have a mortar and pestlel. I use a small food processor in which I chop the almonds, basil and garlic together. This works quick and easy and I find that in this way I can make a bigger quantity.

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3. 87

   crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years ago

   Yes food processors are perfect. I bought a supply of 4 oz. plastic cups with lids and that is the perfect size for a pan of pasta. I can fill those cups and freeze them and have pasta with pesto in just a few minutes. I also like to use almonds sometimes. Especially toasted almonds.

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4. 97

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   This would make a great hub if not already one. I love basil. We planted our first basil this year and chose the purple kind. It smells great! We are just figuring out what all we can with it though. For now it's only being used in marinades and as air freshener in the bathroom.

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   1. 87

      crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I do have a hub similar to this. And several on basil.
      
      
      
      In this photo you see purple basil which has a lot more flavor than regular green basil. It is great for pesto or for making basil vinegar.
      
      How To Make Basil Vinegar
      
      Buy a good quality bottle of apple cider vinegar and pour part of your vinegar out into a bowl. Wash several large sprigs of basil off under cold running water and then push them into the bottle of apple cider vinegar. Use a small funnel and refill the bottle with the saved vinegar and seal tightly. Let it set for at least two weeks before you use it. Longer if you can.
      
      Here's a great time saving tip. Make quick work of slicing fresh basil by rolling up a small bunch of leaves and snip into shreds with kitchen shears. To chop simply snip the shreds cross ways.

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      1. 97

         peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, I think I may make some basil vinegar tonight to store for my salads. Didn't know it was that easy!

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5. 87

   crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years ago

   
   
   Basil, Pesto Perpetuo
   
   One great thing about this lemon flavored basil is that this variety doesn't flower so you don't have to keep snipping the flowers off all summer. And this lemon flavored basil makes a wonderful pesto that goes really great with seafood dishes.
   
   Basil , Tomato , Feta Salad
   
   I like to make this recipe and people love it.
   
   1. Two Cups Fresh Basil Washed Under Cold Water And Cut Up Fine.
   2. Two Cups Diced Heirloom Tomatoes.
   3. One Fourth Cup Feta Cheese Crumbles.
   4. Two Tablespoons Basil Vinegar.
   5. Two Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
   6. One Fourth Cup Large Homemade Garlic Croutons.
   7. Salt and Pepper to taste.
   
   This is truly one of the best salads you'll ever eat.
   
   It's really delicious. I serve it on chilled salad plates and people love it.

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6. 87

   crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years ago

   
   
   A laundry rack or clothes drying rack makes a perfect rack to dry your fresh herbs like basil on. Use large wooden clothes pins to keep your small bundles of herbs on the rack and you can set the rack of drying herbs out in the sun and bring it in or on a porch in case their is a danger of rain.
   
   When the herbs are dry put each small bundle of dried herbs in a brown paper bag and write the date and whats in the bag on the outside of the bag with a black magic marker. Bags of fresh dried herbs make excellent gifts.

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7. 82

   Thelma Albertsposted 12 years ago

   I love this forum as it gives a lot of informations not only about basil but also making pesto for the pasta. Great info Guys. Thanks.

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   1. 87

      crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Your very welcome and thanks for your thanks

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