What's For Dinner: Pesto, Pesto, Pesto!

We had some fresh basil left over from the other night's bruschetta appetizer, so I figured it was about time we made some pesto. Pesto is pretty easy; here's the recipe we used:

Fresh Basil Pesto (printer-friendly version)

makes about 1 cup

2 cups basil leaves, rinsed and patted dry

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

freshly ground black pepper

fine sea salt

olive oil

1. Toast the pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Stir frequently and remove from the heat as soon as the pine nuts and/or walnuts become fragrant.

2. Place the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine the ingredients.

3. Add in the cheeses. Pulse to combine. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides if necessary.

4. Add the olive oil in a slow stream while pressing the "on" button.

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Store unused portion in a tightly-covered container in the fridge. If the pesto is a bit dry, pour a layer of olive oil over the top of it prior to refrigerating to prevent the pesto from turning brown.

I served the fresh basil pesto with some rigatoni pasta topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. But I wasn't done with the pesto yet . . .

I also made some cheesy pesto bread from the remainder of the baguette we used to make the bruschetta. To do so, I cut the remaining baguette in half lengthwise. I drizzled both halves with a little bit of olive oil. Then I spread about two tablespoons or so of pesto on one half along with about a tablespoon of freshly grated parmesan cheese. On the other half I spread some shredded mozzarella cheese. I then placed both halves together and wrapped the whole shebang in aluminum foil. I then popped the foil package into an oven set at 350 degrees, and baked the bread for about 15 minutes.

I cut the baked loaf into diagonal slices, and served it up. Mmm, I have got to get some fresh basil growing in one of our windows -- it is definitely one of my favorite things.