Pesto

1/3 cup Olive Oil
2 cups firmly pcked basil leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
1/4tsp salt

Blend in blender or food processor till narly smooth, adding enoug additional live oil (up to 2 T) to reach desired consistancy.

Makes 3/4 cup Pesto. Store in tightly covered jar in refrigerator.

Umbrian Vegetable Soup



This recipe courtesy of the Huffington Post


1⁄2 cup packed basil leaves
1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

2 tbsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 cloves garlic
1⁄2 medium onion, cut into chunks
8 oz. red new potatoes, cut into 1⁄2" cubes
3 stalks celery, minced
2 medium carrots, minced
2 plum tomatoes, cored and minced
Kosher salt, to taste
3 oz. spinach, trimmed and rinsed
(about 2 loosely packed cups)

1 1⁄2 cups canned cannellini beans, rinsed
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas

1⁄2 small head frisée, leaves cut into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Freshly grated Grana Padano or Parmesan, for serving

1. Place half the basil, 2 tbsp. oil, parsley, garlic, and onions in the bowl of a food processor and process until slightly chunky. Heat remaining oil in an 8-qt. pot over medium-high heat and add herb–garlic mixture. Cook, stirring often, until no liquid remains, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add salt and 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Stir in spinach, beans, peas, and frisée and cook until greens are wilted and just tender, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper and stir in remaining basil. To serve, ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle with Grana Padano, and drizzle with oil.

SERVES 12

“OLIVE GARDEN” TOMATO/BASIL CROSTINI

2 6″ Boboli bread shells or Similar Italian flat bread

2 Tbsp Ex-virgin olive oil with 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic - Mix and set aside

2 Tbsp Fresh parmesan -- grated
1 1/2 c TOMATO/BASIL TOPPING

Tomato/Basil Topping:

1 1/2 c Roma tomatoes – seeded & diced
1 Tbsp Fresh basil -- chopped
1 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with foil. Lay bread on pan and dribble 2 Tbsp garlic oil over Boboli, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 4 to 5 minutes, until hot, but not crispie or dried. Cut the Boboli into 6 wedges or 2x2″ squares.

Remove to a serving plate and cover, generously, with a cold tomato/basil topping, serve immediately.

TOPPING-Blend all ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Just prior to serving, drain in a colander or strainer to eliminate excess liquid.

Basil Pesto Dip / Spread

Basil Pesto Dip / Spread

You can use purchased pesto in this simple recipe, or make your own Pesto using fresh basil from your garden. This also makes a great sandwich spread.
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup basil pesto
3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

In medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well to blend. Chill. Served with raw veggies, crackers or chips for dipping, or as a sandwich spread. 16 servings.


Basil Pesto
2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup chopped cashews
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1-2 Tbsp. water

Place basil, garlic, cashews, and cheese in food processor. Start processing, and add olive oil in a steady stream. Process until a paste is formed. Add a bit of water if necessary to form the correct consistency. Either use immediately, refrigerate with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface, or freeze in 2 Tbsp. amounts.

Herbed Potato Slices

3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
2 tablespoons melted butter

Put half of the sliced potatoes and half of the sliced onions in a buttered 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with half of the dried herbs and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Repeat layers, ending with remaining melted butter.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover plate with foil. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until potatoes are tender.Serves 4

Herbed Potato Slices

•3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
•1 medium onion, thinly sliced
•1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
•2 tablespoons melted butter

Put half of the sliced potatoes and half of the sliced onions in a buttered 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with half of the dried herbs and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Repeat layers, ending with remaining melted butter.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover plate with foil. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until potatoes are tender.

Serves 4.

Fresh Tomato Bisque

2 lb. ripe tomatoes (about 6)
1 onion, sliced thin
1 tablespoon butter
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 whole cloves
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. chopped fresh basil
1 pint light cream
1 cup milk
6 large toasted butter croutons
2 tablespoon chopped chives
Skin and seed the tomatoes. Sauté onion in butter and add tomatoes chopped.

Add bay leaf, sugar, cloves, salt, pepper and basil. Simmer, stirring occasionally,
until tomatoes are thoroughly cooked, about 25 minutes.

Remove bay leaf and cloves and transfer mixture to blender to purée (or strain
through a coarse sieve). Add cream and milk and heat through. Serve topped
with toasted butter croutons.

Minestrone Soup

10 cups cooked red beans
1 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, pressed
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 zucchini, sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tablespoon oil
1 carrot, diced
5 leaves spinach or chard, chopped
8 oz. tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes

Crush 7 cups of beans and leave the remaining beans whole. Combine all remaining ingredients except macaroni and basil. Bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Add basil and macaroni and cook an additional 15 minutes. Serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese.