So on Sunday I went to the supermarket and found a nice bunch of fresh Basil.
Once I got home I went ahead and made Pesto! I love to make a big batch so I can freeze it and use it any night of the week to make Pasta and Pesto.
All you need is a bunch of Basil, Garlic (LOTS) about 4-5 cloves, salt pepper, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Grated Parmigiano Cheese.
What I am making is a very concentrated version of Pesto because I package them in 3/4 cup Glass containers that I then freeze, each container is enough for 1-2 lbs of pasta! I make 2 lbs because we then have left overs ...
Wash your basil and place it in a blender, mince it and then slowly add garlic salt and olive oil to mix ... once you get a nice paste is time to add about 3 cups of olive oil or more, add about 1.5 cups of the grated cheese, remember you are making a big batch that has very concentrated flavor, sometimes you might need more olive oil, taste it for salt, the taste will be loaded with garlic so it will be strong, but you will use it with lots of pasta so trust me it works.
I then freeze them and take one out about an hour before I start cooking so it defrosts, and there you go cook some pasta add the pesto, if you like you add some more grated cheese and voila! Dinner is ready. I sometimes add Frozen Peas to the pasta for an even healthier and satisfying meal.
You can pick any kind of pasta, cook it drain it and then add your mixture of basil, you might want to add a bit more of olive oil if it looks to dry... add some cheese on top and ready!!!!
Enjoy.
If you are like me and are super busy make this on sunday and you will have it ready when you have one of those crazy days!
Chiara
