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.  Mine is online on my website along with the check marks beside the things I’ve done. 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 you exact measures (which I struggled with a bit – as anyone who knows me will tell you – I am a complete control freak and I like order and lists and exactitudes), so here we go. Pesto!

Ingredients

• BIG bunch of basil
• one clove of garlic
• pinch of salt and pepper
• a small handful of parmesan cheese – grated finely
• a handful of toasted pine nuts
• olive oil

It’s going to be one of those recipes you make and then tweak based on your personal tastes, I put 2 cloves of garlic in mine because I am a garlic monster, but to be honest 1 clove would have been sufficient.

So how to make pesto

Basically, put the toasted pine nuts in 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. 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!!!!!!