Wednesday, July 15, 2015

From Terrace to Table: a Great Use for Basil

As I mentioned in my post on Monday, my basil is growing like a weed.  I can barely keep up with it!  I rarely use dried basil when cooking so I have been trying to find recipes that utilize fresh basil.  Luckily I found one - pesto!  I really like the Skinny Taste version of the recipe because it does not call for pine nuts (which are typically pricey and not something I keep on hand). 

If you have a lot of basil on hand, I highly recommend this recipe as it refrigerates well and it also apparently freezes well.  The recipe calls for 1 cup of basil but I had 2 so I doubled the recipe.

All washed and ready to be put to use!
The recipe called for things I had on hand (garlic, fresh parmesan cheese, and olive oil plus S&P for seasoning).  In a matter of minutes, the pesto was done!


A week went by before I used it, so I can attest to the fact that it refrigerates well.   Last Thursday we used the pesto to make grilled pesto shrimp skewers.


They were so good and delicious!  We paired them with grilled corn on the cob and Mexican rice, which was obviously not grilled but still delicious!


Have you grilled much this summer?  We have not grilled much as neither of us has our own gas grill.  I have a charcoal grill but it's not worth heating it up for quick recipes like this one.  Luckily my condo association has an area with gas grills - we just need to be better about using them!

13 comments:

Emilie said...

I am so excited to see this post! We just got a new basil plant as our original one died over the weekend while we were away. It's super full so I wanted to make pesto this week but like you, I rarely buy pine nuts because they are so expensive. Also, I really want to make that shrimp recipe. We have a gas grill that is currently out of gas so we haven't been grilling. My parents use charcoal and I think it tastes so much better, but it is a pain to get it going on a work night.

Marlys said...

Mmm, that looks so good! I love grilled shrimp and the pesto must make it taste even better! Let us know other ways you use the pesto!
We have a small Weber gas grill at home that is perfect for your Dad & I. It's a dandy!

Stephany said...

I don't do any grilling and it makes me sad! I looooove the taste of grilled food, but I never have it. I'm hoping the next place I move to has a spot for grilling because I'd love to do more of it!

Jeanie said...

I prefer charcoal to gas but I know what you mean about heating it up for a quick recipe. So try this -- if you are having green beans or other veggies, try heating them on the grill in foil. Double check the web for times -- you'll probably need to put on a bit earlier. Same with potatoes (although you can par boil them before putting them on to roast. Then some olive oil and grill seasonings and you have Texas fries. Don't know about gluten and potatoes -- is that OK? Peaches sliced thickly are very good grilled. Then put them under (or on top of) ice cream. Check the web for charcoal grilled recipes -- there are a lot!

The pesto looks great. I'm going to check out your recipe. Mine is from Everyday Food (Martha) and I love it (no pine nuts but walnuts, unless you decide to bag them altogether, but I've also used pecans in a pinch). I like it a lot but always on the hunt for different ones to try. My basil is now named "Audrey Two" (And Three and Four) because it's growing like CRAZY~!

suki said...

Jealous of your basil success. Usually we get a plant, and it grows for a short while, and then we use up all the leaves because it's starts to fade. :p

Nora said...

pine nut free pesto?? Sign me up. I love a good pesto sauce but I'm allergic to pine nuts :( I will definitely be making this recipe at some point. One of my weaknesses? Mexican rice. YUM.

Jenny said...

That looks delicious! In my attempt to bookmark this recipe in Pocket, I just typed pocket twice into my workplace global chat channel - I am so embarrassed right now :O haha :D

Leigh said...

Your meal looks so delicious! I think easy meals like this are the best part of summer

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Once our basil starts coming in, I'd definitely make this. I love that it doesn't contain pine nuts, as that is the one and only food that I am allergic to.

We've grilled a lot this spring and summer, and since we're home from vacation, we're looking forward to grilling even more!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

We grill allt he time because we do not have central air. We have one amazing unit in our bedroom and a crappy unit in the living room so it's flippin' hot. So yeah, no oven cooking! We've had a lot of hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled chicken and grilled zuchinni!

Amber said...

Oooh way to find a pesto recipe that doesn't need pine nuts! Pine nuts are SOOO expensive! I will have to give that recipe a try though I will have to use ALL my basil just to make it once time I think haha.

San said...

This sounds delicious! I have a lot of basil and should try this!

Demetrius Guevara said...

I love basil, but my plant has also gotten a mind of its own and has taken over my garden. It has gotten so bad that I have had to throw out good basil because it will go bad before I can use it. Seeing this post inspires me to make a new menu with a lot more basil. Thank you for posting this ideas!

Demetrius Guevara @ Solaire Gas Grills