Fresh basil always makes me high…high on the intense delicious flavour, which makes me crave for more and more of it. I’ve used fresh Basil in a number of dishes before and simply can't get enough of it!
I got my first taste of Basil Pesto, when I had the Mediterranean Pizza at Scholtzky’s Deli. I thoroughly enjoyed the pesto sauce on the base and while biting into the pizza, I was making a strong mental note to find a recipe for pesto and make it asap!
Gemelli with Basil Walnut Pesto:
Gemelli is a dry pasta which is spiral shaped. The different shapes of pasta always fascinate me and every time I run out of pasta (yes, it happens every now and then :-D) I buy a new shape to try, just for the fun of it :) So this time it was these spiral shaped beauties.
You will need:
1 Cup Gemelli pasta
¼ Cup Basil Walnut pesto (recipe below)
Salt to taste
Boil Gemelli in a pot of salted water, till done. Drain and toss with pesto. Add salt if required. Serve hot. Additional parmesan maybe added on top before serving.
Basil Walnut Pesto:
You will need:
2 Cups packed, Fresh Basil leaves
½ Cup Walnuts, chopped
¾ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Olive Oil as required
2 cloves of Garlic, chopped
To store: Transfer the pesto to a clean jar, cover with a thin layer of olive oil and refrigerate if using in a few days, otherwise freeze it. Thaw before using. If frozen, it should last for 2-3 months.
Pesto can be used as a dip, tossed with pasta or even used a pizza sauce. My love for pasta is not unknown, so that is what I used the pesto for.
I love the pasta shape, pesto with walnut, yum...looks delicous Nam :)
ReplyDeletethat looks mild and yummy :)
ReplyDeleteNamratha, you won't beleive it...I made pesto too, and was meaning to send it to those two events :-)...well, I guess, great minds do think alike :-P
ReplyDeleteThats a lovely pasta, and pesto with walnut...really yum!!
ReplyDeletelove pasta's of diff shapes..aren't these cute :)..the pasta looks delicious...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shape of the pasta...pls send me over the plate
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies, for your pleasant thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteSunita, that's a really big coincidence :) Hehe, great minds sure do think alike ;)
Fresh basil always makes me high... me too! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all - thats a cute nal color :)
ReplyDeleteBasil is so intense in such a pleasant way - I buy them too and the aroma that it fills the place is amazing isnt i. Loved your pesto. and thanks for sending me suc goodies for AWED :)
DK
http://culinarybazaar.blogspot.com
Totally mouthwatering ..!!!
ReplyDelete