homestead

Homemade Pesto from the Garden

Homemade Pesto
The true meaning of summer is basil in EVERY recipe. Maybe not every single recipe, but we sure do enjoy basil in pastas, cold salads, veggie sandwiches, and with a little fresh mozzarella and garden tomatoes. And not to forget basil in a summer cocktail. But, being able to use it in winter pasta recipes is always amazing and my favorite way to save fresh garden basil year-round is by making pesto!

There is truly nothing better than fresh pesto (especially when it comes from your garden). Plus you can freeze it and enjoy it year-round. Check out our pesto recipe below for a fresh, delicious basil treat to be enjoyed fresh or frozen for later. To make this vegan, skip the parmesan (it is still delicious without the cheese).

the ingredients

what you need to make pesto

Homemade pesto is another recipe that requires very few “kitchen tools”.

Grab these items in your kitchen before starting your pesto:

  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Pine Nuts
  • Lemon Juice
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Basil Leaves
  • Chopped Garlic
  • Olive Oil

how to

how to make delicious pesto

Making homemade pesto is not only delicious, but it makes your kitchen smell fabulous all day and gives you an excuse to spend some time in the garden. When gathering basil from the garden, I typically cut branches that are dangling out, to prune up the plant and give it some shape in the process. Usually, 5-7 good-sized branches provide about 2 cups of “packed” basil leaves.

pesto basil
pesto basil

I like to rinse my basil leaves to remove any dirt, bug residue, etc. I actually found two caterpillars when going through my basil harvest this morning. After rinsing, I like to dry pat my leaves to remove excess moisture.

pesto basil
pesto basil

From here, it is extremely easy. I put my basil in a blender first and then load all of the remaining ingredients on top. Blend and vwala! Pesto!

Tonight, I am going to use this pesto to make a leftover grilled chicken, tomato, pesto pasta. Pesto can truly be used to add flavor to so many delicious meals: BLT, or really any sandwich, pizza, salad dressing, garlic bread, pasta recipes, you name it.

pesto basil
pesto basil

Let’s connect! Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Tag your instagram versions with @homestead.onthehill and #homesteadonthehill.