Homemade Basil Pesto

I love Italian food. I make it all the time because I grew up Italian and that is what we do! Cook! Cook a lot and make sure there is food to go around. Eat! This is what I heard growing up. At any occasion there was enough food to feed an army. In my opinion, it was the best food you ever ate too. So we carry on the tradition.

Just because I am Italian does not mean I like going to Italian restaurants. This is a misconception. Especially here in the south. There aren't any REAL Italian restaurants. So I stat home and eat my own.

This is a simple dish that is a delicacy. The garden had beautiful herbs in it. This came from my father's garden. He is an unbelievable gardener. The basil leaves are as big as my hand.

Pesto is great in many things. My favorite is on pasta.

You will need:
Approx 4c Basil fresh
5 cloves of garlic
a handful of pecans, pine nuts or walnuts
1/2 c of fresh pecorino romano cheese
olive oil

There really isn't a written recipe. It is all just thrown into the food processor!

 I fill the processor with fresh basil.

I like using pecans. Pine nuts are the most popular. Then I peel and add garlic.

Then I grate fresh cheese and add it to the mixture.

Cover and pour olive oil will processor is on. While it is spinning the basil will become a paste.

Then it is ready to add to 1 pound of pasta!! You can also spread this on some Italian bread. YUM!

My mouth is watering as I type this post. Very easy and delicious. Why would you go to a restaurant for this when you can make it at home so quick?

Hope you enjoy!

Tomato Basil Pasta

Sweet summertime! It has been pretty hot this summer and August is here. The last couple of days have been beautiful though with a wonderful breeze! One of the things I love about summer is the fresh fruits and vegetables. If you read this blog you know I belong to a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture.
I get wonderful fresh certified organic vegetables. My favorite are the tomatoes!


Growing up in an Italian household you couldn't get enough of these plump, delicious things! One recipe I grew up on was this pasta!


It is easy and delicious.

The ingredients are
Tomatoes 6-8 diced
Extra Virgin Olive oil
3 cloves of garlic
fresh basil 
salt

Cut tomatoes into diced pieces and fill bowl. Mince 3 cloves of garlic and 1/2 tsp salt. You can chop if you would like it stronger. I like a lot of fresh basil. 4-5 leaves chopped and 1/4 cop of Olive Oil. Mix together and add water to top tomatoes. Let stand and marinate a few hours. Overnight is great too! The longer it sits the better it tastes.

Using fresh ingredients are the key! If you don't have fresh basil used dried but fresh is better.

Your mixture should look like this. Now boil a pound of your favorite pasta. Add this on top like a sauce. It does not get cook.  The heat from the pasta warms it and you will not be able to stop eating it!

This mixture is also great to top chicken and steak. Enjoy!