Basil Anyone?!

We have large quantities of fresh basil available!  For those of you who like to make and freeze pesto or dry basil in bulk, we are offering a plastic sack-full of stems for $10.  For those who are interested in the Rochester area, we can bring your order to the Rochester Farmer's Market.  Need a good pesto recipe?  This is a favorite in the Lenz household.  An excellent, healthy and easy winter meal with all fresh, uncooked ingredients.

Pesto

~ 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry

~ 2 good-sized garlic cloves

~ 1/2 cup shelled walnuts

~ 1/2 cup virgin olive oil

~ 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (already grated, but purchased in the deli section is fine; no canned cheese)

~ salt and pepper to taste (we do 1 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp pepper)

~ 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Combine basil, garlic and walnuts in the food processor or blender, chopping thoroughly
2. With processor running, ad the oil in a slow steady stream
3. Turn the processor off and add the cheese, salt and pepper.  Process breifly
4. Add 2 T hot water and the whipping cream and process again.

We tend to make 6 recipes of this at a time and each recipe in a 1 quart freezer bag.  Set one out to thaw early in the day.  Make 1 lb. of pasta and pour the thawed pesto over the warm pasta (this melts the cheese and it gets nice and “gooey”).  Serve with fresh grated parmesan.