Pesto

I planted way too much basil this year. I always have a hard time getting basil to grow. This year it took off! So I am trying to make as much of it into pesto to enjoy this winter!

Ingredients

5-6 cups Fresh Basil Leaves

2-3 cups Fresh Parsley Leaves

4-6 cloves Garlic

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 cup Pine Nuts (I also use Walnuts & Almonds)

1 TBS Salt

1 TBS Lemon Juice

3-4 TBS Olive Oil (or more if needed)

Equipment

Food Processor or Blender

Directions

Wash Basil & Parsley and place in food processor.

Add all ingredients except the Olive Oil.

Blend until the mixture is well pureed.

Continue blending as you add a steady stream of olive oil to emulsify the mixture.

Once the mixture is the consistency you like it...a thick paste. The pesto is done. It is delicious to use fresh like this on pasta or chicken.

I freeze it in small containers to use in cooking throughout the winter.

Basil BLTs for lunch today!

Had some extra bacon in the house today so I thought my husband might like some BLTs for lunch. We have an abundance of tomatoes and basil in the garden right now so I incorporated some basil! I made homemade french bread last night (recipe to come soon) so I used that for the sandwich bread.

INGREDIENTS

makes 4 small sandwiches

8French Bread or Crusty Bread, slices

8 Tomato slices or a 1 cup chopped small tomatoes

 4 Lettuce Leaves

 8 pieces Bacon

1/2 Mayonnaise or Plain Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup Fresh Basil Leaves

2 tsp Lemon Juice

1 clove Garlic

1 tsp Salt

DIRECTIONS

Start frying your bacon in a frying pan.

In the meantime, slice your 8 slices of bread. Slice your tomatoes. Prepare your lettuce leaves and basil.

Directions for Basil Mayo

Combine Basil, Mayo/Greek Yogurt, Lemon Juice, Garlic, & Salt in a food processor or small hand blender. Blend all ingredients together.

Slather each piece of French Bread with the Basil Spread.

Add a leave of lettuce.

Add 2 slices of bacon.

Add 2 slices of tomato or spoonful of chopped tomatoes.

Top with a leaf of fresh Basil.

Place other piece of bread on top.

Enjoy!