What to do with so much Basil

[James Curry]

Recently had my son & granddaughters to stay for 2 weeks, house seems empty without them now.
Anyway my son decided as I have a rather large amount of Basil and other herbs he made a really nice Pesto sauce.
He has lived in France for 14 years so is of the opinion it is only the french that can cook

Anyway decided watch and learn. Did not have the heart to tell him mum has been doing this for years.

Pesto.

125 grms Pine nuts
125 grms Parmesan cheese
1 Large bunch of Basil
1 Garlic Clove
200mls of extra virgin Olive oil
Season to Taste
Squeeze of lemon juice

Method
1 Heat dry frying pan medium heat and gently toast Pine nuts until brown and fragrant

2 Place all ingredients in food processor or blender.

3 Blend until it comes together getting smooth

4 Taste and season to your own preference , if desired add a squeeze of lemon juice

If not going to use it all it will keep in a fridge for a week.

I used 1/2 and placed the remainder in Ice Cube trays and placed in the freezer. Handy if you are only cooking a pasta dish for 2 pop an pesto ice cube or more to your preference..

Both my granddaughters are great wee cooks as well.

They have a recipe book for kids called foods of the world.

Over a 2 week period they made pizzas. Eldest is 10 and the young one is 6. A great double act, Chef and Sous chef. They make their own Pizza base dough, also home made burgers as well.
Best of the week was their chinese steamed boa boa dumplings.
It was great fun just watching them , keeping an eye on no accidents when using the hob or placing them in the steamer.

Think when I was 10 I might have been able to make toast