The kid must have read my mind when I asked her what she wanted for dinner on the ride home from school. I was overjoyed when her response was “green noodles.” This is 6-year-old speak for pasta with pesto. Next to pasta aglio e olio, pesto is my favorite pasta pair-up. As luck would have it, I had just bought a nice bunch of basil during my lunchtime trek through Chelsea Market.It was extra special to have two miniature assistants to help with the dinner cook-up. Pesto is super easy to make with your food processor. A plate of pasta and a nice salad on the side and you are good for the night.
Pesto
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup of parmesean (I leave mine out usually to make a pareve pesto, then add parmesean as necessary on a per meal basis) Do not use the powdered processed stuff in a can
- 1/2 cup of good quality olive oil
- a sprinkle of salt to taste
Directions:
Wash and sort your basil. Basil is often dirty and sandy.
Combine the dry ingredients in the food processor, then slowly add the olive oil. Dip finger in and taste. Add salt if necessary.
Pesto freezes well. I like to freeze in 1/2 cup increments.
Spoon pesto over and mix into pasta. I add a sprinkle of pine nuts and shredded parmesean. Enjoy with a side salad. Bon Appetit!
About Hindy Garfinkel
Look at you!! I love knowing that you pick up the girls (in a vehicle that is a bit matronly, albeit totally functional) and have that conversation. Didn’t know that “the Princess” had so much power, however it explains a lot of her assertive behavior when she has sleep-overs at my place.