Basil and Pesto

The Basil Fairy has struck again. You can imagine my surprise when I went to let the chickens out this morning and found not one, but two large shopping bags overflowing with fresh from the garden basil. By the time I thought to take a picture, Sarah was already making pesto from the first bag. So that's why there is only one bag in the picture.

Sarah and the rest of the family LOVE fresh pesto. So of course she thought the arrival of the Basil Fairy was the coolest. We ran to the store to get pine nuts and cute little jars. Then she was off to the kitchen. It wasn't long before she had nine beautiful jars of fresh pesto. The sweet girl that she is she delivered one jar to the Basil Fairy and the rest to our freezer. I love being able to pull a little bit of summer green out in the middle of winter.

Pesto

• 2 cups packed fresh basil
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the basil and pine nuts. Pulse a few times. Add the garlic and pulse a few more times. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is running. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup