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Basil pesto

March 9, 2011 in Healthy eating

basil pot

We have mountains of basil and what better to immortalise it somewhat than to make piles of pesto and freeze it.

And yes! It freezes very well and doesn’t brown at all.

Basil pesto

2 large handful of basil leaves
3 garlic cloves
1 chunk of good parmesan about the size of your palm
Juice of a large lemon
100g toasted slivered almonds
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
A pinch of sugar

Blitz it all together! Use enough olive oil to make it wet but not runny.

Try my Asian-style spicy pesto for some more firey pesto fun.

Tips:

1. You can use different types of nuts – as you see I used almonds, they are much cheaper than pine nuts and work just as well.

2. I believe in using the best parmesan and olive oil that you can find, it really makes a difference.

pesto

I literally take out a small bakkie a week and keep it in the fridge. It makes a great quickie pasta, potato, sandwich spread or add to other sauces to jazz them up. Also a great topping for meat, fish, and chickie.

I’m hoping to make enough to last me through winter – just say ‘hibernating squirrel’.

xx

Homemade pasta with bacon and butternut with sundried tomatoes

March 8, 2011 in Easy dinners, Healthy eating

pasta

Isn’t it beautiful? A very clever and fabulous couple made this GAWjus homemade pasta for a lunch for over 30 people on Sunday (they are o.r.g.a.n.i.s.e.d) and I luckily made away with enough to stuff my face with last night.

In the spirit of the Argus and the great carbo-load, here is an easy pasta to up your energy levels.

Serves 4

1 medium butternut

1/2 pack streaky bacon

3 garlic cloves, sliced thinly

1 small tub of sundried tomatoes

A small handful of fresh basil leaves.

Olive oil

Preheated the oven to 180 C.

Cut the butternut into small blocks and toss in a little vegetable/canola oil and season.

Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes until done.

Boil a large pot of water.

Cut the bacon into small strips and pan fry with the garlic in some veg/canola oil.

Add the butternut and the sun-dried tomatoes.

Boil the pasta in the water for 5 minutes and drain.

Serve with some good olive oil drizzled over and some freshly sliced basil.

butternut pasta

I’m quite proud as we grew the butternut, basil and tomatoes – isn’t it just so irritatingly homey? :-)

Enjoy!

Caro xxx