What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Enjoyable Eats: Basil Pesto Pasta! I’m tired. And I’m hungry. What in the world can I cook for dinner that doesn’t take forever? But I want the taste to make me feel like I’m someone special. First of all, go over to the wine rack and open a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Pour a little into a stemmed glass. Swirl and take a sip. This will put you in the mood. The wonderfully sweet herbal notes of the fresh basil will complement the flavor of the wine. Plus, the olive oil and parmesan cheese in the pesto sauce enhance the richness of fruit in the Cab. Take another sip. Now let’s get started. (Footnote: Obviously if you already have a jar of your favorite Basil Pesto in the kitchen pantry, you’re one step ahead.)
BASIL PESTO PASTA
Ingredients:
10.5 ounce package of cherry tomatoes
12 large basil leaves
1/3 cup almonds, slightly toasted
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pound spaghetti
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
Combine cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, toasted almonds, garlic clove, and kosher salt in a food processor. Pulse to blend into a fine purée. Scrape the sides and turn the processor on Low setting. Slowly pour the olive oil into the mixture in a continuous stream. The pesto will thicken nicely. Set aside. Cook the spaghetti in salted water, according to package directions. Drain well. Transfer spaghetti to a bowl. Quickly toss with pesto sauce. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over all. Garnish with basil leaves.
Yummy ✨
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Simply within reach. 🌿🌱🍃
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A favorite way to cook and eat pasta – my pesto is frozen and ready when I am. Interesting that you use almonds; I have used pine nuts and walnuts but almonds are new to me 🙂
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(I always have almonds on hand. Pine nuts, not so much.) 🍁🍂🌾
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Your dish looks wonderfully appetizing!
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Awww, thanks Robin. Sometimes things fall naturally on the plate. lol 🌿🌱🍃
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Looks absolutely delicious! Love pasta with pesto and interesting addition of almonds! 👌😊
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Variety is the spice of Life. Right? 😜🌿
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Totally agree 🤪😊
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Looks so good, and perfect when we don’t have a lot of time but need some comfort.
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Especially after a full day. 👏
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Aren’t they all!
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I really like basil pesto. We make it and freeze it in summer. Yum!
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It really perks up the ordinary, doesn’t it? 🌿🌱🍃
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Oh yeah!
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All I need to do is use vegan parmesan cheese and it will be wonderful for me. I am going to make this one Gail. Thank you.
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Perfect! 👏
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As someone who is on the fence when it comes to pesto, I need me some ingredients that speak to me sweetly and with much earnest. And your dish speaks this way to me, come hithering me to its side of the fence.
Presto Pesto Pasta!
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Over the backyard fence. Nice! 🤣
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I have heard of using almonds, instead of pine nuts,in pesto, but haven’t tried it. Yours looks like a great one (yummy) to try. I do like that you “instruct” peeps to blend the pesto that isn’t food show drizzle. I don’t even have that kind of time in the kitchen at work!
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I know I appreciate tips and hints in cooking, so I try to be sensitive to others. Thanks for the nod. 🌟✨💫
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Oooh, there’s nothing like homemade pesto, Gail! I’ve never made it with almonds, but why not? I don’t always have pine nuts, and they’re pretty pricey!
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That’s what I thought. Please try it and tell me what you think of the taste. 🌿🌱🍃
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I wish basil was perennial.
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That makes two of us. 🌿🌱🍃
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