Presto Pesto!

Last year was the first time I'd ever tasted fresh pesto. I think I had it once before on our honeymoon while in Venice, but it was putrid to say the least. I've steered clear of it since. However, a coworker last year asked for some of my basil to make pesto and gave me some of the finished product. If you remember, I had to enter a 12 step program after I was spotted eating it straight out of the container.

This year I planted..ok...overplanted...basil so I could make my own. I've pulled leaves off occasionally, but it was time for a major haircut.
That's a pretty large bowl full of basil leaves. So, I found I had enough to make three batches of the recipe, but since I don't have a food processor, I used the blender. Should have thought about that when I was making the hummus the other night.

It turned a lovely green.

I chose to fill baggies with just enough for a meal. Flattened like they are, the baggies will take up little to no room.

I sent my neighbor home with two bags and used one for our dinner tonight.

I topped it with slices from our next ripe brandywine. I tell you, there's just something different about that tomato. It's very sweet and not mealy at all. Very distinctive.

The girl and I tie-dyed with her school today. One of her teachers lives next door to the school. She and her husband have an amazing piece of property where they basically farm. I can't even begin to tell you how far this property goes and all of the gardens they have. Each time you think you're done, the tractor will pull over the next rise and there's another few acers planted. He asked me if I wanted a few peppers, hopped on that tractor and was gone for quite a while. He came back with a sack full of peppers and a cabbage head large enough to feed the neighborhood. We're going back on Friday and I'm hoping he'll let me take some pictures.

The morning comes early. Sweet pesto lovin' dreams.