Basil and The Magic of Pesto

Did you know that :
Basil's flavor intensifies during cooking?
The flowers are edible and can be used as a garnish.
It Blends very well with garlic, thyme & lemon.
You can add several leaves to liquid when you poach fish, shellfish or chicken or throw whole leaves into salads for a peppery bite.
Here is my basic pesto recipe that you can alter to taste, naturally.
Basic Pesto

2 cups fresh packed Basil leaves
2 garlic cloves
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano
1/4 cup Pine nuts (Pignola) or Walnuts
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Combine basil, garlic, cheese and nuts in a food processor or blender. Process/blend on medium high to mix. Turn off processor. Scrape sides with a rubber spatula. With processor running, slowly add olive oil in a trickle until blended.
Yield: 4 servings, 1cup of Pesto
Preparation time: Approximately 15 minutes