#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Got Basil? Make Pesto

June 8, 2009 · Narrative

Pesto Tortellini

Recently, a dear friend mentioned a favorite farm near her house.  I checked out the farm’s website (the turn of technology that a farm has its own website makes me laugh just a little), and noticed their recipe for pesto.  Given our abundance for fresh basil right now, that quickly led to Saturday night’s dinner.

We’re going to be moving some time over the summer, but I didn’t want to totally miss out on gardening, so this season, I put my focus on container gardening, that way everything can be moved easily without disturbing roots unnecessarily.  And we don’t miss a thing.  Into the pots went basil, oregano, cucumbers, radishes, cilantro, spinach, dill, chives and squash.  Some of the plantings have been growing fiercely (hello basil!), and as they’ve outgrown their pots, we’ve transplanted them into larger pots.  Nick has been doing a fantastic job of keeping everything well watered and eagerly checks on how everything is growing regularly.  I love that he gets to see something go from seed to table – so many great lessons there, and the more involved he is in the process, the more exciting it is… for both of us.

Our basil has been growing like crazy, so I sent him off to pick a bunch of leaves.  He was awed to find out that it would turn into a pasta dinner.  Armed with the pesto recipe from Renninger’s Farm, the dish was whipped up in nothing flat.  I loved this pesto.  Pesto tends to be a strong flavor, and this one, although unmistakably pesto, was a little more subtle, thereby making it a little more palatable for the kids.  A little garlic bread and some sliced fresh tomatoes with nothing more than a sprinkling of salt and dinner was done.  Fresh from the garden.  It doesn’t get better.

Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
Recipe courtesy of Renninger’s Farm

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: basil, pesto, Renninger's Farm

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    June 8, 2009 at 10:11 pm

    We are growing stuff like crazy this year too … and the garden to table method is really getting the kids (Will in particular) really interested in what we are eating and how we make it … I love how into the gardening (and cooking) he is. He and Nick would have great fun together growing!

    Sarah Carons last blog post..Fresh From the Garden: Broccoli Rice with Lemon Herb Dressing

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    June 8, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    Moving already? It seems like just yesterday (2 years ago?) that I followed your unpacking adventures as I made my way through my own. Thanks for the pesto recipe, as my basil is finally starting to take off in the cold ND spring.

    Reply
  3. Bridgett says

    June 8, 2009 at 11:42 pm

    Perfectly delicious!

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    June 9, 2009 at 7:03 am

    Thanks for posting this! Looks great and I have a bunch of basil growing right now that I need to use already!

    Debbies last blog post..Lemon Blueberry Bread

    Reply
  5. Patsy Kreitman says

    June 9, 2009 at 8:03 am

    I wanted to do more container gardening this year, but it just didn’t happen. I love pesto and have some basil waiting to be used so that may be how I end up using it! Delicious!

    Patsy Kreitmans last blog post..A Family Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Cake

    Reply
  6. noobcook says

    June 9, 2009 at 8:39 am

    Pesto is something I wanna try in future. And I am also growing some basil from seed so wish me luck in growing them, if I have a good harvest I can try your pesto recipe! hehe

    Reply
  7. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says

    June 9, 2009 at 8:42 am

    I just love the aroma of fresh basil in my kitchen. Pesto sounds great!

    Natasha – 5 Star Foodies last blog post..Alinea: The Mystery and Magic

    Reply
  8. Joanne says

    June 9, 2009 at 9:00 am

    Basil is something my parents have always grown although up until last year when I insisted on making pesto out of it, they always used store-bought pesto. There is nothing like a pesto and tortellini pasta salad, however. That spells out summer to me.

    Joannes last blog post..My First Risotto

    Reply
  9. Cathy says

    June 9, 2009 at 10:37 am

    I’m going to plant basil and mint this year as soon as hubby makes my flower bed for me :) The pesto looks delicious

    Cathys last blog post..almost done…..

    Reply
  10. brandi says

    June 9, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    For some reason, our basil is taking forever this year! But we have plenty of parsley :)

    The pesto looks delicious!

    brandis last blog post..Spicy Seconds

    Reply
  11. donna says

    June 9, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    Oh this is what I will make with my extra basil. It looks fantastic!!

    donnas last blog post..Bye Bye Winter Beef Stew, come vote for me.. yes, and cum shots

    Reply
  12. lisaiscooking says

    June 9, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Great idea! I have lots of basil right now too. Your pasta looks delicious!

    lisaiscookings last blog post..Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños and Banana Peppers

    Reply
  13. Katrina says

    June 9, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    Love pesto and basil! Looks de-lish!

    Katrinas last blog post..TWD–Very Mini Apple Tartlets and Nectarine and Mango

    Reply
  14. Ruth says

    June 10, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    Wow, your blog is incredible! I am mad about pesto but have never actually made it myself… a little shameful. Maybe this is the summer to give it a go!

    Ruths last blog post..Two very cool things

    Reply
  15. Jeff says

    June 11, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Happy to hear my basil is not the only one growing like a weed. Although my mint, sage, and tarragon are slowly taking over everything.

    Nice idea on switching everything to container so you can move it. If I ever move it is going to have to be a fall move b/c I can not have a garden.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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