Hey Presto, Basil Pesto!

Instead of a picture of green paste, I give you a picture of love: a basil plant given to me by Amber, and the source of many pesto meals. I have to wait a while between pesto yumminess, but fresh pesto is worth it!

I toss this with pasta and grated parmesan, or spread it on sandwiches. Pesto makes everything better!

Basil Pesto

2cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Special equipment needed: A food processor

1. Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup.

Fusilli with Sundried Tomatoes, Basil, and Asiago

Last week, when my pizza supply ran out, I was faced with the conundrum of foraging through my dried goods pantry. It was either another bowl of oatmeal or a box of crackers, as I didn't want to defrost anything. But then I rememered that I had pasta, and could eat "real food" after all.

Ingredients:

Whatever pasta you think is enough for one person

2-3 tablespoons sundried tomatoes packed in oil

1/4 cup shreded Asiago cheese (parmesan will also work, of course)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Freshly torn basil

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Cook the pasta, and drain well. Toss with the tablespoon of olive oil, however many sundried tomatoes you want, and crushed red pepper

Add cheese, toss again. Thow the torn basil leaves on top.

Eat, satisfied that you can create a not-completely-inedible meal from your pantry.