Pesto

There are so many varieties to this gorgeous idea of herbs and olive oil blended and tossed over pasta. Parsley . . . Cilantro . . . Rosemary . . . I even whip up a batch of Balsamic-Lemon Spinach Pesto that’s really delightful! But truly, my favorite variety is the traditional one.
Basil.
The earthy sweetness. Crisp and almost acidic, but not quite. Green like fresh grass. It’s hard to find a meal I enjoy more than one that includes fresh pesto. And knowing this about myself, I planted ten basil plants in my garden this year. That’s right. Ten. And I might double that next year. I have no shame.

My two oldest girls and I cut a bunch, washed them up, and whipped up a lovely batch of pesto this week. I spooned it generously over three-cheese ravioli and fresh grape tomatoes. Sprinkled with parmesan, only a loaf of crusty bread would have made it better. Next time.

PESTO 
1 large bunch of basil—roughly 2 cups of leaves, washed, and stems removed
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 grated parmesan cheese
1 heaping teaspoon garlic
dash of lemon juice

Pine nuts are traditionally part of a solid pesto recipe, but I’m not a fan, so I left them out. If you like them, roast two tablespoons in a hot sauté pan with a splash of olive oil and salt until they brown. Set aside on paper toweling and allow to cool.

In a food processor, whirl basil leaves, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and parmesan, scraping down sides of the bowl frequently for about a minute, or until a thick, smooth paste forms.

Everyone has a different opinion about the thickness of a proper pesto. The beauty of making your own, means you get to decide what that looks like! Feel free to add more olive oil if you prefer your pesto a little thinner.
At this point you would also add the roasted pine nuts if you enjoy them.
Whirl again, scraping down the sides of the bowl.

Serve over pasta of your choice, hot or cold.

To store: divide between small jars and freeze what you intend keep beyond immediate use.
Enjoy!

 

dilly fingerling potatoes

You know what guys? Fingerling potatoes look a lot like . . . fingers. Just saying. And not in the like, “That’s awesome!” kind of way. More in the, “Well that’s odd,” kind of way.

Excellent.

Now that that’s out of the way, on to this most delicious recipe, staring: fingerling potatoes. Is that gross? I don’t know. Sorry, not sorry. Because this really is delicious. Reminiscent of summer picnics and everything cool and refreshing. Or, if you’re like me, a prefect late-night snack! Or if you prefer, a potato side dish that delights rather than bores.

Enjoy!

DILLY FINGERLING POTATOES

1/2 lb fingerling potatoes
1/2 cup homemade mayo
1/2 teaspoon salt
a dash of pepper
dill weed
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic
3/4 cup plain greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice

slice the potatoes in rounds—about 1/2 inch in width. I love these little potatoes because just a few slices and you have the most perfectly-sized bites imaginable.
Cover with cold water and a dash of salt in a medium cooking pot, and bring to boil on med-high heat. Boil for 10 minutes or so—until fork tender but not falling apart. These little potato bites will need to hold their own in the dilly mayo sauce they’re about to be slathered in.

In a bowl, blend 1 cup homemade mayo, (this is truly the easiest thing in the world to make and SO good, but if you’re intimidated, go ahead and use whatever remade mayo strikes your fancy), salt, pepper, dill weed, ground mustard, sugar, and diced garlic together until well combined. Add vinegar, lemon juice and greek yogurt, and whisk until smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated. Spoon over cooled potatoes in generous amounts. No holding back here. You’re going to want to pour it all on.
Yes. Go ahead. All of it. The sauce makes these guys sing.

Serve as a chilled side to grilled chicken, brats, or my favorite: salmon.

savory applesauce

Sometimes dinner needs a little extra something, yaknow? I’m all for spice rubs, but my heart finds its home in sauces. And when you’re looking to dress up some chicken breasts, or pork tenderloin, or heck, even a pile of spaghetti squash, a savory-sweet applesauce really brings a lot to the table. Pun intended.

4 apples, peeled and diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup prunes or apricots
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons clarified butter
water

begin by peeling and dicing your apples. —I like to make this sauce out of whatever fruit is starting to show its age in my fruit basket. Can’t let those mealy bruised apples go to waste!
Do the same with the onions and the dried fruit.
Then in a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the clarified butter and toss in the apples, dried fruit, and onions, stirring until they begin to brown/caramelize. Sprinkle cinnamon over the fruit and onions and then add just enough water to cover the fruit. Set it back on the stove and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and continue to simmer, uncovered, until the fruit softens. Add water as needed, simmering all while while until the fruit melds and becomes a thick, chunky sauce. If you prefer a smoother applesauce, use an emulsion blender to emulsify.

Spoon generously over meat, vegetables, or even dessert.
(I love it over a heavy greek yogurt!)

 

balsamic-lemon spinach pesto

Pesto. That flash of green. That earthy sweetness. Summer encapsulated. I love the stuff. On pasta, eggs, fish, in my coffee . . .
Ha.
Just checking to make sure you’re awake.

I brought two gorgeous basil plants inside from the garden when the weather turned cold. “Surely I can save these!” I thought.
Nope.
I tried.
They died.
There goes pesto.

However, today I whipped up a ‘pesto’ with a base of spinach instead of basil. And yaknow what? It’s almost good enough to drink in your coffee.
Enjoy!

BALSAMIC-LEMON SPINICH PESTO

• Notes:
This recipe is a two-for-one deal. I use my lemon-balsamic dressing in this in place of straight olive oil.

Balsamic-Lemon Salad Dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons balsamic vinaigrette
½ teaspoon fresh pressed garlic
a dash of salt

3 cups of organic baby spinach—washed
2 tablespoons Lemon-Balsamic salad dressing
1 tablespoon roasted pine-nuts

In a food processor or blender, pack the spinach down nice and firm, drizzle the dressing over top and sprinkle in pine nuts. Pulse/whirl a couple of times and then remove the cover and scrape down the sides with a soft spatula. Evaluate the consistency at this point. If the pesto seems a little dry add a little more dressing. Too wet? Add more spinach. Whirl again until smooth. Store in an air-tight container.