How many of you ENJOY a good plate of PESTO from time to time?

Being married to the THE ITALIAN he will make a BATCH for the coming year and freeze it.

The box arrives from the fields………..

Then WE meticulously pick all the leaves off.Be sure not to get a stem or the FLOWER.The flower part of the basil is BITTER.So, that’s a NO NO says the 100% ITALIAN.

This takes about an hour and a half……..depending upon how many hands you have helping.

Here he is at WORK.You would NEVER know HE had his GALLBLADDER taken out the day before………….thats a FLOWER in his left hand.A NO NO!!!It willNOT go into the bowl of BASIL………..once all the BASIL is de~stemmed it then goes into the KITCHEN SINK for a good wash.

Some BASIL SITTING PRETTY!Once the Basil is washed the process begins………..by using a lettuce spinner to get the water out of the leaves.We do this at least THREE times with each batch.

I DRESSED for the OCCASION!Can you spy my BOOT on my right foot!TENDENTIOUS………SIX WEEKS with this lovely black boot!

The BASIC’s for the ingredients……….

1 Cuisinart full of Basil leaves (2 big handfuls)

1 teaspoon SALT

1 ++ Teaspoon RED PEPPER FLAKES

2/3 cup PINE NUTS = 3 ounces

1 1/4 cup WALNUTS that have been shelled and halved = 5 ounces

4 large GARLIC CLOVES

1 1/3 cup OLIVE OIL

Put all ingredients in the CUISINART and MIX until a green smooth puree appears.Dip finger in to taste.Add more salt or more RED PEPPER to your liking.That ++ means MORE If YOU like HOT!

The GREEN PUREE………

                           The FIRST BATCH of the day……….you see WE make it for a YEAR’s supply so many BATCHES are made.I lost track but maybe one of our SOUTHERN BELLES can help with that answer!As Jill was on the washing and ingredient PATROL.She might have an idea?

Our Helpers yesterday in the process of PESTO MAKING!A BIG help and they even did another RUN to COSTCO for more NUTS!

Just one more stir to mix up the batches……………

Then we have the PACKAGING…………for the GIRLS……….  FRENCH glass jam jars.

For our HOME we store in plastic cups that are housed on shelves cut by THE ITALIAN to stack in OUR freezer.This is such a HANDY item to have if one is at a loss for dinner or TOO tired to cook……….GO TO FREEZER AND GRAB A PESTO!

You do get HOW BIG this bowl is……………..RIGHT?

The making of the PESTO for storage in the FREEZER.Each cup can feed about 10 people.For our home we use just a little for the two of us then what is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT is to cover the left over with OLIVE OIL before putting the SARAN WRAP back on the plastic cup.

Once he fills the cups he taps them on the counter to settle………..

Then I added olive oil to the TOP of each cup.To cover the PESTO.

If the PESTO isNOT covered it turns BLACK and will then mold up.

Pesto lasts a long time like two months in the refrigerator if you cover with olive oil and saran wrap CORRECTLY the top.

The PATIENT was already moving………..remember he had surgery the DAY before and wasNOT to lift anything!Off to the FREEZER they GO!

This year WE made petite vessels for TWO.Just a few………..

Another secret I learned living in ITALY is if one doesNOT have enough PESTO for the people at the meal add WHIPPING CREAM to what you have.It will make for a CREAMER SAUCE.

DO ADD ROCK SALT TO THE WATER BEFORE PUTTING PASTA IN!!!

By all means doNOT forget the PARMIGIANO CHEESE on TOP.

One more thing……..when you dump the PASTA into the COLANDER empty the pasta back into the pot and ADD OLIVE OIL mix well then ADD your PESTO!

BUON APPETITO!

I have a couple of announcements NOW!

I will be joining a GROUP of REAL DECORATORS this FRIDAY for a BLOG POST!

The SUBJECT : HOW TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL BED!

PLEASE CHECK OUT ALL the PARTICIPANTS below.

I fear I may BE IN ABOVE MY HEAD on this!

 

LAST ANNOUNCEMENTS………. Blog is HERE to stay for awhile.I THANK YOU for ALL YOUR COMMENTS and EMAILS!YOUR CONTESSA NEEDS YOU MORE then YOU NEED HER!

AND LAST…….MY BOYS……..this SUMMER…….with their DOGS!I just had to SHARE!

Kristopher and Butters completed CIRCUS SCHOOL.Butters was a STAR…..I think!Nicholas,with his TWO BOXERS in a RESCUE boat with TWO GERMAN SHEPARDS.

Doing what BOYS DO!

I AM SO PROUD OF BOTH BOYS I COULD BURST!

FYI………These TWO BOXER DOGS are the PARENTS of BUTTERS who went to CIRCUS SCHOOL.

IN A NUT SHELL………MY GRAND DOGS!

XOXO