Homemade Pesto:
I started growing my own basil several years ago when I realized how expensive fresh basil and pesto were in the produce department at the grocery store. I happened upon the AeroGarden online. Since I live in an apartment in Wisconsin, my options for growing herbs are limited. Growing outside is ideal in warmer climates but not when your Spring, Summer, and Autumn fall on a Wednesday...the rest of the year being super cold. I ordered one AeroGarden and quickly got hooked on the speed and ease of growing indoors with these planters. I now have 3 of them, growing fresh lettuce, cilantro, dill, parsley, basil, rosemary, even tomatoes year round. It is so wonderful growing fresh, preparing, and then eating the same food you have just harvested. I am no farmer but maybe just a little more self-sustainable.
Here is one of my staple recipes that I prepare 1-2 times a month. I am including where I buy some of the ingredients and the local pricing. As a single working parent, I am always living on a tight budget and even tighter schedule, so I have included "generic level brand" ingredients I use to fit my pocket book and time frame. This sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about a week, or you can freeze it for 3-6 months. If you intend to freeze the batch, do not add the cheese until you have thawed it and ready to use.
Ingredients:
In a food processor mix the following items until they form a paste:
Slowly add while processor is on:
Here is one of my staple recipes that I prepare 1-2 times a month. I am including where I buy some of the ingredients and the local pricing. As a single working parent, I am always living on a tight budget and even tighter schedule, so I have included "generic level brand" ingredients I use to fit my pocket book and time frame. This sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about a week, or you can freeze it for 3-6 months. If you intend to freeze the batch, do not add the cheese until you have thawed it and ready to use.
Ingredients:
In a food processor mix the following items until they form a paste:
- 1/2 cup pine nuts ( I buy a 1.5 pound bag of Kirkland brand from Costco for $30 which will last for months - keep refrigerated)
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (another item I tend to purchase at Costco, 2 liter of their brand for $15)
- 6 cloves of fresh minced garlic or 2 tablespoons (Costco Kirkland 48 ounce Minced California Garlic for $5)
Slowly add while processor is on:
- 4 cups of packed basil leaves ( I use my homegrown basil. I grow Genovese, Anise, and Lemon Lime Basil...mixing the types depending on taste and harvest)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Costco Cello Grana Padano 1 lb jar for $9)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 packets Truvia sweetener
RSS Feed