Basil Pesto

[ShaunSA]

I want to try making my own.

Anyone care to share any favorite recipes/tips/tricks?

And wtf do I find basil in large enough quantities?

 

[I.am.Sam]

just go and buy this one

 

[ShaunSA]

Is that Woolies Sammy? I must admit I've never actually looked around for a ready made one. OK I didn't even know they came ready made

 

[EMAM]

Go and buy a basil plant. They grow quickly and easily although they are best grown in summer months.

I must say that Pick n Pay make a very nice home made pesto - it's kept where they keep dips like hummus, etc and comes in a square, see through, plastic container.

Pity you don't live in Cape Town - a friend of mine has her own pesto company and makes the most divine pesto at half the price of the shops!

 

[saor]

Have also seen quite big basil plants at some Woolworths (they're growing in a pot). Else yeah ^^^ plant some it's easy to grow.

 

[ShaunSA]

Go and buy a basil plant. They grow quickly and easily although they are best grown in summer months.

I must say that Pick n Pay make a very nice home made pesto - it's kept where they keep dips like hummus, etc and comes in a square, see through, plastic container.

Pity you don't live in Cape Town - a friend of mine has her own pesto company and makes the most divine pesto at half the price of the shops!

Have also seen quite big basil plants at some Woolworths (they're growing in a pot). Else yeah ^^^ plant some it's easy to grow.

I do have a few that have sprung up in the garden but some bloody nunu seems to have been eating them to shreds

 

[cerebus]

I want to try making my own.

Anyone care to share any favorite recipes/tips/tricks?

And wtf do I find basil in large enough quantities?

Basil plant is insanely easy to grow as long as you water it sufficiently and prevent it from budding at the tips. I made a pesto batch already from this one plant, and it's getting ready for another cropping already after a month.

My basic recipe is:
1) Large handful of basil, roughly chopped
2) Half a cup of parmesan
3) Handful of sunflower seeds (pine nuts are better but pricier)
4) Lots of olive oil
5) Plenty of salt
6) Splash of red wine vinegar

Put it all in a blender and blend till it becomes a paste. Taste and then rebalance your ingredients till it matches your palate.

Tip: If you make a large batch and want to save some, put it into ice cube trays and freeze it till you're ready to use it, then pop it out whenever needed.

 

[longboy]

some bloody nunu seems to have been eating them to shreds

Sorry bout that, but I did enjoy last nights pesto that I made though.

 

[ShaunSA]

Basil plant is insanely easy to grow as long as you water it sufficiently and prevent it from budding at the tips. I made a pesto batch already from this one plant, and it's getting ready for another cropping already after a month.

My basic recipe is:
1) Large handful of basil, roughly chopped
2) Half a cup of parmesan
3) Handful of sunflower seeds (pine nuts are better but pricier)
4) Lots of olive oil
5) Plenty of salt
6) Splash of red wine vinegar

Put it all in a blender and blend till it becomes a paste. Taste and then rebalance your ingredients till it matches your palate.

Tip: If you make a large batch and want to save some, put it into ice cube trays and freeze it till you're ready to use it, then pop it out whenever needed.

So I need to snip some tips off like I do with my mint and rosemary and that makes it go crazy. Thanks cerebus.

 

[cerebus]

So I need to snip some tips off like I do with my mint and rosemary and that makes it go crazy. Thanks cerebus.

Yeah that's right otherwise the leaves change texture and it becomes tough and stops growing. And it's one of the thirstiest plants around, I need to water it daily in this heat.

 

[ShaunSA]

Yeah that's right otherwise the leaves change texture and it becomes tough and stops growing. And it's one of the thirstiest plants around, I need to water it daily in this heat.

Great. Will go a-tipping this weekend. The watering is the SO's baby. I will issue appropriate orders this evening

 

[janinki]

1) 2 Large handful of basil, roughly chopped
2) 3/4cup of parmesan
3) 200g-250g macadamias (pine nuts are better but pricier sunflower taste too seedt to me)
4) Lots of olive oil
5) Plenty of salt
6) Splash of balsamic vinegar

 

[I.am.Sam]

Go and buy a basil plant. They grow quickly and easily although they are best grown in summer months.

I must say that Pick n Pay make a very nice home made pesto - it's kept where they keep dips like hummus, etc and comes in a square, see through, plastic container.

Pity you don't live in Cape Town - a friend of mine has her own pesto company and makes the most divine pesto at half the price of the shops!

shaun you find those at pick n pay and checkers

Mrs Nick where is this place

organise

 

[EMAM]

shaun you find those at pick n pay and checkers

Mrs Nick where is this place

organise

Mrs Nick?????????


It's a friend who makes it from home and sells at markets and a few stores out Blouberg way. I can get the details and PM you if you want?

 

[ShaunSA]

Mrs Nick?????????


It's a friend who makes it from home and sells at markets and a few stores out Blouberg way. I can get the details and PM you if you want?

Yes please pm Sam. He can get post some my way

 

[EMAM]

Yes please pm Sam. He can get post some my way

Is it REALLY only pesto that you are looking for from him????

 

[I.am.Sam]

Is it REALLY only pesto that you are looking for from him????

he gets pics as well ...

 

[Stevi]

Bunch of basil,
handful of pine nuts
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil
salt to taste

Blend it all together until pasty.

as easy as that

 

[I.am.Sam]

send me details ..mrs nick

and also does she deliver

if she is half price from the shops ..driving to blouberg means its probably more than the shops for me

 

[ShaunSA]

Is it REALLY only pesto that you are looking for from him????

Have you seen Sammy? :erm:

Then again I still need to take one for the team