Basic Recipes: Basil Pesto
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When life gives you tons of basil, make pesto! |
I love to use lots of fresh herbs in my everyday cooking and there is nothing that can add the magic to a food like a fresh herbs can. There is someting magical in the aromatic oils that it takes your food to another level of deliciousness. So as far as possible,
I always have many herb plants in my terrace garden. Last winters my basil plant died down and somehow I did not get time to replant it.
I always have many herb plants in my terrace garden. Last winters my basil plant died down and somehow I did not get time to replant it.
Last week when we went for a short vacation to a nearby hill station Nainital, got many saplings from various plant from Botanical Garden Ranikhet,which I think will be able to survive as its not that hot and finally Delhi has started to recive its share of rains 
. Sharing few pictures of the Nainital here and let me warn you, next few days you are going to see lots of them as I am still sorting through them.{ Few Pictures here}
. Sharing few pictures of the Nainital here and let me warn you, next few days you are going to see lots of them as I am still sorting through them.{ Few Pictures here}
During one discussion I mentioned this to sangeeta and later on forgot about it too, but being herb lover herself she is so sweet to remember it and when she came for a visit home she remembered to carry basil plant and lemon grass plant with her.
Lemon grass and Thai basil could not tolerate the heat well but this sweet basil is thriving so beautifully and yesterday I reaped first harvest. When you reap first harvest of basil what to you do? Of course you make pesto .
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Traditionally basil pesto is made using pine nuts but I like to add other nuts like walnuts or cashew too. This time I used a mix of and pine nuts and cashew as cashew provide more creamy texture and nutty flavour.
Basil PestoIngredientsBasil leaves 1 cup
Pine nuts 2 Tbsp
Cashew nuts 10
Sea salt ½ tsp
Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp
Parmesan cheese 1 tbsp
DirectionsCombine basil, cheese and nuts in food processor.
Pulse it in food processor, keep stirring occasionally
till all basil leaves are minced. With food processor running, drizzle in olive oil and sprinkle some coarse sea salt and use in any of your favourite dish. |
NOTES
What do I do with this pesto?
I usually stir some pesto in my pasta, rice, sauteed vegetables, sandwiches, or sometimes with grilled paneer or tofu. Still have some leftover I freeze the leftover in ice tray and use pesto cubes as I require them.
That is my favorite olive oil brand, second only to the artisan ones I acquire locally. You photos are so inspiring.
My favorite way use pesto is with home made potato Gnocchi and as a filling in home made bread.
Lovely recipe!! I’ve tried out pesto with almonds and mint before, but never basil!!! This looks good
Flavor packed pesto..Loved the idea of using cashew nuts…Lovely pics..
sounds good!
lovely!the pesto and the pix of the nainital holiday.
I never used cashew in pesto but it does sounds like a great idea. Just like you .. i love fresh herb .. love it!
Love this fabulous flavourful pesta..
As soon as I saw the title I associated it with Sangeeta and I realize I wasn’t far off the mark. Love your pictures and the recipe…going to try it out for sure!
Lol …Sangeeta is our inhouse Herb grower in Delhi
She has loads of stuff and is very generous with it !
Nice pesto. The pictures are very soothing and green!!!
Sowmya
http://nivedhanams.blogspot.in/
Gorgeous! I love fresh herbs too … have just begun my little herb garden. waiting for Sangeeta to get me some lemongrass too. I have LOADS of basil {if anyone needs seeds, let me know}. Beautiful photography Rekha … fresh and exciting!
Hi Deeba,
I would like to know if it is possible for you to sent the seeds of some herbal plants to Mumbai.Or could you pls let me know any nurseries which do home delivery.Thanks
rajanisatish@yahoo.co.in