Pesto Pro's (pepper, clove, cheese, basil)

[nanannie]

With Basil taking over my garden, I would love to make some pesto but most/if not all the recipes I found call for a food processor. I gave mine to my daughter when she was moving away from home and I was feeling those leaving the nest pangs ("take anything you need dear").
Any Pesto Professinals out there have a tried/true recipe that works without one?
Thanks

[Debsi]

My mom uses her blender.

A traditional Italian way to make it would involve a mortar & pestle - no machinery. There are those that say it tastes much fresher made that way.

[nanannie]

Thanks Debsi, I knew those good ol Italian grandmas wouldnt use a processor.

[Miaiam]

If you have a lot of basil (I know this is not your question, but it is a nice thing to do though), chop it and freeze it with water on ice cubes. When you need it on sauces, just drop the cube in the pan.

Works for me, if I have a lot of it.

[Debsi]

This is the worst year for basil I've ever had. I'm jealous.

I have a big enough mortar and pestle to do the job, but I admit I've never tried it that way. Maybe next time.

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by Miaiam

If you have a lot of basil (I know this is not your question, but it is a nice thing to do though), chop it and freeze it with water on ice cubes. When you need it on sauces, just drop the cube in the pan.

Works for me, if I have a lot of it.

I've heard of this but never tried it either. Does it really still taste like fresh chopped basil after it's hung out in its cube in the freezer for a few months?

[Miaiam]

It tastes the same, but it has never lasted many months in my house, I love basil!

[jambo101]

Just chop the Basil fine with a knife,bash the pine nuts with something heavy,i use the backside of a frying pan, add both to bowl,add some crushed garlic (1 clove), Grated Parmesan cheese then mix all together with some extra virgin OO,salt and pepper to taste and presto pesto.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by Debsi

I've heard of this but never tried it either. Does it really still taste like fresh chopped basil after it's hung out in its cube in the freezer for a few months?

I've done it, but you dont add h2o, you put just put the pesto into the ice cube trays to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag, and yes, it works!
I grow extra basil so we can have pesto all winter.
The easiest way to get the pesto into the trays is to use a pastry bag, or a gallon baggie with a corner snipped off after you get the pesto loaded in.

[Miaiam]

I meant the basil only, not the pesto, on the ice cubes. Just clarifying.