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Pesto Plain and Simple

July 12, 2010 by Mariel Goodson 7 Comments

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Mariel here. Pesto is the type of thing that does wonders for sprucing up a lackluster meal. Pop it on toasted bread and you’ll instantly add pep to a Tomato Salad; spread it on chicken breasts for a little zest; or just blend it with your favorite pasta. And, there are more pesto renditions than you can shake a stick at, so you really can’t go (too) wrong. The following version subs-out pine nuts in favor of the more wallet-friendly walnut and I’ve added a dash of sun-dried tomato to add a certain earthy smokiness. If you own a food processor, making pesto is as easy as hitting pulse. If you don’t, get ready to sharpen those knives…

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Pesto Plain and Simple
Makes roughly two cups worth

Ingredients:
3 cups basil leaves, packed (about 2 big bunches) – $2.98
2 Tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes – $1.25
3 cloves garlic – stock
1/2 cup olive oil (err on the side of slightly more rather than less) – stock
1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted – stock
1/3 cup freshly shaved/grated parmesan – $4.00
1/2 teaspoon salt – stock
Dash fresh black pepper – stock
Grand total assuming well-stocked kitchen: $8.23

Directions:
1. In a food processor, combine the nuts, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, pepper and salt – blend until it forms a thick paste

2. Add the basil in handfuls until it’s finely chopped. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor.

3. With the food processor running, gradually add the oil until everything’s smooth and creamy. Serve over piping hot penne or store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.

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Filed Under: Last-Minute Meals, Pasta, Recipe Index, Recipes Under $10, Spreads, Dips & Salsas, Vegetarian Tagged With: budget, cooking, easy, family, food, Pasta, pesto, recipes, Recipes Under $10

About Mariel Goodson

The daughter in this mother-daughter duo, Mariel is the co-founder of Brass Hill Design and a former magazine writer who has contributed to Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, SELF, Redbook and Good Housekeeping, among many others.

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    July 12, 2010 at 11:34 am

    I love making pesto – so easy and so flavorful! Plus, you can use different ingredients to mix it up a little.

    Reply
  2. foodtable says

    July 12, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    pesto is one of my fave sauces. so good on everything as you said spice up lackluster meals.

    Reply
  3. Josh Healy says

    July 12, 2010 at 10:10 pm

    Hi, hope it’s OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway blog network: Giveaway Scout (http://www.giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog (http://www.giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh

    Reply
  4. thecompletecookbook says

    July 12, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    The infamous comforting basil pesto with a bit of a twist – very nice! Mandy

    Reply
  5. maeats says

    July 13, 2010 at 8:29 pm

    Hi, I love pesto but my son is allergic to pine nuts and every other nut. Do you think it would work to leave the nuts out, or is there a substitution that you know of? Thanks! Btw looks delicious!
    M.A.

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      July 14, 2010 at 8:30 am

      Hi MaEats:

      To sub-out the nuts, try increasing the parmesan and maybe adding a drop or 2 of olive oil, depending on how it emulsifies w/o nuts. Bumping up the sun-dried tomatoes will also help lend the pesto a little more substance and increase the earthy flavor that the nuts usually provide. Hope this helps!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention Pesto Plain and Simple « Feast on the Cheap -- Topsy.com says:
    July 12, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Emily, Mary Anne. Mary Anne said: A kitchen workhorse and a long-time friend of small budgets…presenting Pesto plain and simple: http://wp.me/prMEc-wX […]

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