New to the Group/Pesto Sauce

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

My name is Laura and I'm new to the group. I've been a vegetarian for only 2.5

years and I know I still have a lot to learn. My biggest challenge has been

finding new and interesting dinner ideas to keep the meat eating members of my

family satisfied. Sometimes they enjoy my meals and don't miss the meat, other

times they'll run out for a burger while I eat my " bird food " as my husband

likes to call it, or other times I simply have to make two separate dinners. 

It's all good natured teasing, but still, I would love it if we could all enjoy

the same meals together more often.  I've started browsing through the group

recipe file and I've already spotted dozens of dishes I cannot wait to try. 

 

Here is my contribution: 

 

Pesto Sauce

 

4oz basil leaves, stalks removed and torn into pieces

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground pepper

3-4 cloves garlic crushed (or 5-6 if you're a garlic lover like me)

2 oz pine nuts

6 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (I use shredded)

3/4 olive oil (or less or more depending on your preference)

 

Put everything except oil in the food processor.  Blend it into a paste,

transfer the paste to a bowl, whisk in the oil. 

 

I've adapted this recipe from one that I found on line. Originally it called for

some Romano cheese too, but since I'm not a fan, I just stuck with the Parmesan

and added more to compensate.  Also, I've tweaked it a bit here and there to

fit my needs.  It probably isn't an " authentic " pesto sauce anymore but heck, it

sure is tasty. Even my picky 15 year old wolfs it down. He likes to use it as a

dipping sauce with bread.  It also goes great over noodles, but my favorite use

is mixed in with spaghetti squash. I often use spaghetti squash as a substitute

for pasta and I love it with a bit of pesto sauce mixed in.

 

Usually I make a double batch and freeze the extra. It freezes great. I also buy

extra baguette bread and slice it up and freeze that too. That way, when I have

company coming at a moments notice I can pull the pesto and bread out of the

freezer and I'm good to go with a fun snack. After it thaws, of course. 

 

Be forewarned though, if you have a spouse or significant other make sure they

eat some too so you cancel each other out breath-wise  LOL! You will have garlic

fumes rising off of you in billowing clouds with this sauce.  Enjoy :-)

 

Laura