Basic Pesto Recipe

I’m going to start off by saying I love pesto, it is so fresh tasting!  I also enjoy making my own pesto, but sometimes, finding the right recipe can be hard.  They can include ingredients like basil, arugula, chickpeas, walnuts, and countless different cheeses to just name a few.  I'm never one to just stick to a rigid recipe, I like a bit of fluidity to use what I have on hand.  Sometimes I have arugula from my spring garden, other times I just have basil from my aerogarden.  Sometimes I have parmesan cheese, but if I run I usually have mozzarella on hand.  

I like to be able to keep my recipes open to variation to let me be creative with flavors, but also keep me from going to the grocery store because I just used the last bit of parmesan for something else. 

 

In order to let myself have this creativity with a pesto recipe, I decided to lump some of the same categories together and find a theme.  Basil, herbs, and arugula are leafy greens.  Walnuts, chick peas, and pecans are nuts.  Parmesan and mozzarella are cheeses.  Olive oil is just, well olive oil.  Flavor enhancers like garlic and pepper are "optional".

Basic Pesto Recipe: 

2 cups leafy greens

1/2 cup cheese

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup nuts 

1 tbl “optional”

 Put all the items in your food processor and process until everything is fully mixed and smooth.  Taste test to make sure you have a pesto you are happy with before putting in a food safe container in the fridge. 

For an easy party appetizer, sprinkle cheese on pesto and serve with pita chips or crackers!  Or add some to a chicken for quick Italian Night dinner.

Do you experiment with recipes?  Or do you stick with the exact ingredients?  How do you enjoy pesto?  Comment below, I would love to know!

Apple Debbie Cookies

Welcome to Day Four of Apple Week!!

Today is ALL ABOUT a tasty apple dessert (that could also be eaten for breakfast, depending on your definition of breakfast!)

This recipe is actually a compilation of a description of a cookie the Mr Fix-It Fiance gave my mother, who then turned it into a full on recipe to share!  I hope you enjoy it.  It is a present from my family to yours!!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter, nearly melted

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1T cinnamon

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup applesauce

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line rimless cookie sheets with parchment paper. It has to be parchment this time. (I use my SILPAT!)

2. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon mix until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract, then mix in the baking soda and baking powder. Add the flour and mix until just combined.

3. With a cookie scoop, scoop the dough scrapping off the excess as you go up the bowl. 

4.  Flatten the dough slightly place teaspoon of applesauce on top. 

(Note:  I adapted this a bit, because I had PLAIN applesauce on hand and I REALLY like cinnamon!  I added some cinnamon to the applesauce and then added some of the apple pulp from making apple cider!) 

5.  Place another scoop of dough on top and seal well. 

6. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. After baking, carefully slide the parchment with the cookies onto the counter. Let cool until they are no longer soft but still slightly warm.

 Enjoy!

Do you have recipes that are family made?  Do you like to eat cookies for breakfast sometimes (I really do!)?