Basil pesto, home grown is best!
Just before I went on holiday I cut down my basil to make some pesto sauce. There was no point in keeping it any longer as Basil loves heat and sun both of which are in short supply in the UK this year. I’d grown it in pots to keep it as sheltered as possible and I had both large leaved and bush Basil, both of which I eventually combined. I had enough Basil to make twice the amount in the recipe below.
Stripping the leaves from the stalks
BASIL PESTO
(Makes 3 pesto jars)
115g/4oz basil leaves
6 garlic cloves, crushed
115g/4oz pine nuts
115g/4oz freshly grated parmesan
235ml/8fl oz good olive oil
Method
1. Put all the ingredients into a food processor. Whiz until blended.
2. Put into small jars and cover surface with a thin layer of olive oil before putting on the lids. Keep in the fridge until used.
Blending all the ingredients
It’s best to use small jars as the sauce will oxidise and turn dark green if exposed to the air for any length of time. This would happen if it wasn’t used all at once. It doesn’t affect the taste but it looks better if the original colour is retained. I know this sauce is available in supermarkets everywhere but when made with fresh Basil the taste is superb!
Basil pesto in jars
6 comments
You are so right; home made pesto is the best. If I haven’t got any basil growing I don’t eat pesto. I never buy it in the shop.
Last year I had a grasshopper infestation on my basil. I hope this year will be better and I can make some pesto again. Your recipe is similar to mine and your finished product in the jars looks great and I am sure tastes yummy!
We’ve got overnight temperatures scheduled of 5C this w/e – not exactly prime basil growing weather – thanks for the reminder that’s time to purchase some pine nuts and get to work. Do you ever freeze your pesto?
I am trying out your recipies as we speak. I hope they come out OK. I am not the worlds best cook.
Titania – I had mine raised up off the ground in pots. The plants would all be eaten if I grew them in the ground. It’s a wonderful herb that is worth its weight in gold. Yes it was yummy!
Barbarapc – I’ve never tried to freeze it although I know you can. I can’t ever grow enough to create a large surplus (wish I could) so I find the fridge works ok for me.
my wife was wondering why the basil she is growing in our back yard does not taste very good?
What type of Basil are you growing?
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