Everyone has one of those lists that they want to tick off, you know the ones I mean, the ones where you list all the things you want to do before you’re 30, 40, 50 etc.  So when the garden gave me a massive glut of basil, it was a chance to tick off another item. I’ve always wanted to make fresh pesto. It sounds so incredibly silly to say that now after I’ve made it and now know how quick and easy it is. So I’m sharing this with you so you can make some too.

I should warn you though, it’s not one of those recipes where I can give the exact measures are useful. It’s better to use this as a starter and maybe tweak to your tastes.

so here we go. Pesto!

Ingredients

• 50g basil
• 50g pine nuts
• 50g parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic
• 130 ml olive oil

So how to make pesto

Toast then pine nuts on a dry pan until they just start to change colour and then, put them into a food processor with the garlic and blitz it up. You can, of course, make your pesto using a mortar and pestle (this is the traditional way), but the food processor is a lot quicker. Once your pine nuts and garlic are chopped up finely, add your parmesan and basil and get that going. Drizzle olive oil into the food processor as its going until you get the consistency you are after. You may not need it all.

Salt and pepper to taste and that is you. Really, it’s that easy!

Enjoy with lovely homemade bread, or over pasta or if you are like me, with a spoon in a dark corner where no one can disturb you!!!!!!