Making Pesto!

Posted on by

As you know I love Basil and I love Pesto. So  my sweet husband planted 14 Basil plants for me this year so that I could make all of the Pesto I wanted!

                                  I told Alan yesterday that I thought this morning would be a good time  to harvest the Basil. I asked if he would have the time to help me with it.

                               He had gotten up earlier than me and made this wonderful drying table for me to use to stack the Basil on. It is going to be great to dry our mint on when we harvest it this week. I know you are thinking what a sweetie he is and your right!!

                                The picture really doesn’t show just how much Basil we cut. As we kept adding more of it to the table it was kind of getting mashed down.

                                  Pesto is really easy to make but since we quit eating dairy over a year ago I needed to find a recipe that didn’t call for Parmesan cheese. I found one that just called for Basil, olive oil, and garlic. All you do is put your Basil leaves and garlic into the food processor then turn it on and add your olive oil in the opening at the top until it is all blended and smooth.

                                Then put it into jars or freeze. I put some into jars to keep in the fridge but froze the rest. I made a little over a gallon of Pesto today!! Most Pesto recipes call for the cheese and Pine nuts or walnuts. Janette over at  The 2 Seasons has a great  Pesto recipe from Ina the Barefoot Contessa that I am going to try next time minus the cheese. It looks really good.. Do you like Pesto and have you ever made your own? Don’t forget since I changed  to Disqus you need to leave the link to your blog in the comments so I can come visit you. Thanks.

                                 Chef’s Friend bar is back!! I love this bar and I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am that it gets rid of all of the garlic smell off of my hands after making Pesto. This bar is awesome at getting rid of any fish, garlic, onion and most any other strong odors from your hands.So check it out at  Eco Natural

                                 We have had so many people recently contact us about how much our Eczema Relief line has helped them. Alan and I are so blessed by these reports and want to thank everyone who takes the time to let us know.

 

  • http://www.anutinanutshell.com/ Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell

    I’ve never made it before, but even without the parm, your version sounds wonderful!

  • Lavender dreams

    Pesto with fresh basil…oh my! That looks so good! I’m still loving the mineral make up! It goes on beautifully and lasts all day!

  • http://www.facebook.com/blond.duck Blond Duck

    I’ve always wanted to make my own pesto–it seems so much healthier than store bought!

  • http://theresalwaysthyme.blogspot.com/ There’s Always Thyme to Cook

    I’ve never made my own pesto, I get the jarred but yours looks so pretty and such a vibrant green, I just may have to make my own.

  • http://www.cruisinoversixty.com/ SizzleandZoom

    Never have made my own pesto-will try it now-you make it look easy, as is everything you do.

  • http://www.thingsthatarelovely.blogspot.com/ Debora

    Holy basil, that’s a lot of pesto! I love pesto! Since I haven’t been too successful at growing basil, I’ve been making and freezing spinach pesto. It’s basically the same as basil pesto. I love pine nuts, so I do add them; but gosh, are they ever expensive!

  • http://littlegreenblog.com/ Mrs Green @littlegreenblog

    you make it look insanely simple. Thanks so much for sharing your inspirational post with me. I can’t believe all the basil you have. I struggle to keep it alive; it seems such a fussy herb to me. It probably doesn’t like our soil and it certainly doesn’t like English temperatures so I grow it inside in a pot and I’m proud if I manage to keep one alive through the season!

  • DHCooks

    I switched to Disqus too and love it! And I love basil too….I can not believe how much basil you have!!!!!!! That is awesome. I haven’t had the best luck with it – I think it needs more sun than I have.

  • http://www.cafefashionista.com/ Cafe Fashionista

    I have never before tasted pesto, but I have seen Ina Garten make some incredible meals using it! :)

  • http://cherylbarker.blogspot.com/ Cheryl Barker

    Wow, what a great harvest of basil you got!! Looks beautiful. Enjoy!

  • Miriam

    What beautiful basil and pesto!! Marvelous :)
    Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  • Mary Jo at Trustyourstyle

    I can’t believe how much basil you have growing! Wow, I feel excited with just my one plant from Trader Joe’s in the kitchen…until I saw your garden! I love making pesto and using basil leafs in food. Yours looks delicious!

    xo Mary Jo

  • http://twitter.com/bake4happykids Zoe

    I would love to make my own pesto and yours look great!

  • http://www.sarcasticgranny.blogspot.com/ Ms. A

    My kids love to make and eat pesto. I’ve never made it and I’m not sure I’ve ever tried it, either.

  • http://www.foodgal.com/ Carolyn Jung

    I have frozen pesto in my freezer, too. That’s one of the greatest things about growing your own basil — come November, you can still enjoy the fruits of your labor in the garden.

  • http://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/ Joanne

    That is a HUGE jar of pesto!! You guys must have had a TON of basil!

  • Shelia

    Hi Alicia! Oh, your Basil plants are so pretty and healthy looking. Hopefully you’re not getting the horrible heat we are. Your pesto looks so nice too. I’ve never tried to make any before and I’m sure yours is delish.
    Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

  • Jordan@the2seasons

    I need to get my act together and make some Pesto. I think I am the only one who has not made some yet. I love the taste now my mouth is watering for Pesto and it is only 8:30 in the morning.

  • http://ohmyveggies.com/ Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies

    Oh my gosh, that is a LOT of basil! You will be set on pesto for a long time!

  • Janette@The2Seasons

    Thanks for the shout-out!!! Here’s a money-saving tip. I have been using roasted and salted sun flower seeds in place of pine nuts. They are about half the price or less and I can’t tell a difference in the flavor.

  • Kathy Moody

    Wow, I love your blog! So glad you stopped by mine so I had the pleasure of finding you! Your newest follower. :)

  • Nicole @ helpmamaremote.com

    Wow I love the drying table!!!! I’ve never made pesto.

    • http://www.discountthief.com/ miss donna

      i know right…the table is awesome and i’ve never made pesto either. looks like something i’d like to give a try…super easy and healthy.

  • Karen Brown

    To answer your question, I love pesto but haven’t made my own. I don’t know it I have enough basil to try, but maybe I should investigate that!

  • http://www.creativesavv.blogspot.com/ Lili@creativesavv

    That is an amazing amount of basil. My pathetic basil looks so puny in comparison. I love pesto. Have you ever tried using sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts?

  • Paula@Sweet Pea

    I hadn’t thought about putting pesto in a glass jar to freeze it. I put mine in an ice cube tray and then after it’s frozen put the pesto cubes in a plastic bags.

  • FineHouse@blogspot.com

    I love making pesto . . . and your basil came in beautifully!!