Pesto

Pesto  might not look like the yummiest thing for a kid to eat. To my surprise, kids actually tend to really love pesto though. I lucked out and all 6 of my kids LOVE pesto and we literally eat it about once a week. It’s the one dish that all the kids are happy about and nobody is complaining.

We made our own pesto from basil we grew in our garden. You don’t have to make your own, and you don’t have to grow your own to make your own. During the winter I actually buy small plants at the store and keep them in my kitchen window and use it for my Tomato Basil Soup, Pizza, and to make my own pesto.

When I can’t make my own, I buy it from Costco. My husband actually lived in Italy for 2 years and he said the Costco stuff is the closest store bought stuff we have found.

This dish comes from him. I have been making pesto for years but the idea to add fresh mozzarella and tomatoes was his that he learned while living there. He does NOT cook…like, at all. This was one thing he could make though. He would cook the pasta, buy some pesto, a tomato, and some fresh mozzarella add them all together and he ate that once a week. The other days it was street pizza and whatever else they could eat for cheap.

I’m not great at measuring things out when I make it and each time it’s a little different. As you watch the video you will see what I mean. It turned out great though and we did several batches using the same technique and they all tasted about the same.

The traditional pesto has pine nuts. I think that it give it a weird aftertaste so I don’t add them. If you want to add some, add about 1/4 cup to this recipe.

This recipe will make a lot. I do that on purpose and just freeze the extra in little containers. We love having fresh pesto after the season has ended.

Don’t forget to make some yummy Crusty Artisan Bread to go with it. It compliments it perfectly!

Pesto

6 cups basil leaves
½ cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Black pepper

1-Make sure you have all your ingredients.
2-Clean your work area.
3-Pick the basil leaves off the stems.
4-Wash the basil leaves.
5-Place the leaves in a blender or food processor.
6-Add the olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to the blender with the basil.
7-Blend until all mixed together.
8-Serve over cooked pasta. Our favorite is Penne Pasta.
9-We like to add cubed up fresh mozzarella and diced tomatoes. You can add as much or as little as you like. I do 1 lb of pasta with about ¾ cup of pesto, 1 lb fresh mozzarella, and 1 large tomato or 2 small ones.
10-Clean up mess.
11-Eat, Share, Enjoy!