A most potent + flavorful herb.
Basil's history dates back over 5K years, beginning in India before moving west into the Mediterranean. The French call basil l'herbe royale or royal herb. And from the Greek word for "king, associating it with wealth and royalty. Later becoming a symbol of love in Italy, and it has retained that symbolic meaning ever since. In Moldavia, the population is mainly of Roman descent. A man who accepts basil from a woman will fall in love with her. Or perhaps her pesto?
My basil is growing so fast with all this warm weather we've been having. What better way to enjoy the first batch of fresh basil than whipping up my first summer pesto? Pesto is one of those recipes that are ready in minutes; it just requires a bit of patience, first rinsing the basil free of soil and then carefully removing the basil leaves from the stems. Once your mise en place is set up, you can enjoy pesto in minutes.
Perfect Pesto Recipe
Makes one cup
chefgeorgehirsch.com | Recipe from Living it UP! Cookbook
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
1 head Caramelized Garlic or 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons pine nuts or slivered almonds, chopped
1 ice cube (keeps basil from cooking from friction in the food processor)
3 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano
3 Tablespoons olive oil
Place garlic and pine nuts in a food processor or blender. Puree gently. Add ice cube, basil, and slightly grind. Do not over-grind too long, or you will actually be cooking the tender leaves. Add the olive oil and cheese and process until it makes a paste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Use for more than pasta. Pesto is a great addition to salad dressing, topping bruschetta, poultry, seafood, and vegetables.
Serving Accompaniments: Tossed Salad with No Yolk Dressing, Grilled Garlic Shrimp, freshly shaved Grilled Corn. And top off with Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies.
TIPS:
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Great make-ahead dish for work-week dinner crunch. Simply make the pasta and toss in refrigerated pesto sauce, top with grated cheese.
- Use a mixture of leafy greens like spinach, parsley or cilantro in addition to the basil for a different pesto spin.
AS SEEN ON PUBLIC TELEVISION & CREATE TV- SEASON ONE
FEATURING CHEF GEORGE HIRSCH DEMONSTRATING HIS SAVORY COOKING, BAKING AND GRILLING RECIPES; WITH HIS EXPERT CULINARY TIPS & TECHNIQUES, ALONG WITH VISITS TO HIS INSPIRING HAMPTON LOCATIONS.
LIMITED OFFER, LIMITED EDITION, signed by Chef George.
From the original Grilling TV Series host, 200 Fabulous Recipe—Celebrating the joyous rituals of sharing food at year-round festivities, the star of PBS's Grilling with Chef George Hirsch provides a wealth of recipes and ideas for great party foods, plus advance preparation tips to ease the strain of last minute chores.
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: Hearst Books-HarperCollins; 1St edition (June 12, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0688142257
ISBN-13: 978-0688142254
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
This easy to live with lifestyle plan; with more than 165 of George's easy-to-prepare gourmet recipes, you can lose weight, maintain energy, look better, and enjoy a longer active life, by eating great food!
M.Evans and Company, Inc.
George Starts your year off right!
George Hirsch Living it UP
Recipes for a Healthy Active Life
Product Details
Hardcover: 240 pages; $24.95
Publisher: M. Evans and Company, Inc.; 2000
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0871319241
ISBN-13: 978-0871319241
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
Creative Cooking tips
Fast Easy recipes that allow for an active lifestyle
A 30-Day Menu Plan you can adapt throughout the year
Support and motivation for staying on a healthy eating & exercise routine
Tips for easy food shopping & eating healthy on the run
Each book is personally autographed by George Hirsch.