Pesto Presto

My basil plants are pretty much done for the season.  I have harvested, then frozen and dried some of this bodacious plant.  I love basil because it is so versatile.

So, today I am celebrating all things pesto.  All the following recipes have pesto as their common ingredient.  Make your favorite pesto recipe or use mine which I got at www.allrecipes.com

Basic Pesto

Pesto is so easy to make!  In your food processor, blend 3 cups of fresh basil, 4 garlic gloves, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup pine nuts.  That's it!  Now you can use the pesto in a variety of ways.

Pesto Shrimp with Pine Nuts

Easiest recipe ever!  You need your favorite pasta (already cooked), cooked shrimp, all of the pesto you have made and a package of pine nuts (just toast them up a little bit in a saucepan on your stove-top).  Mix together all of the above and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese.  Delightful and done in under 30 minutes!

Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini

Another easy recipe is Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini.  It can be used as just an appetizer or as the whole meal.  I am so very happy with a meal of appetizers!  Throw in some wine and I am good to go.

All you need is 1 baguette sliced thinly, 4 oz of goat cheese, 1/4 cup of pesto, 1-2 tomatoes sliced thinly and mozzarella as well as Parmesan cheese.  Mix together the goat cheese and pesto.  Spread that mixture on the slices of bread.  Top with round tomato slices.  Sprinkle with both cheeses.  Toast in a 375 degree oven until the cheese melts.  It is very addicting!  You will want several slices!

Once you have made the pesto...presto!  You will have a basis for several other basil inspired recipes.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine