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SubscribeIngredients
1/3 cup pine nuts
Handful of mint leaves
Several handfuls of basil leaves
Handful of spinach leaves
2 garlic cloves
3-4 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
**Sorry I didn’t take exact measurements, as I just used what I had picked and added enough olive oil to reach the consistency I wanted.
Directions
1. Add pine nuts and mint in the food processor.
2. Fill the food processor with basil leaves. Then pulse a few times before adding a handful of spinach. Add olive oil until it reached the consistency I wanted plus about 1 tsp salt and a few dashes of pepper. Pulse until reaches the consistency you wish. Use immediately or freeze for use in future meal.
Because I didn’t use it right away, I froze it in 2 portions…one I plan to use for a chicken pesto recipe, and the other with pasta!
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Seriously, I could gobbled this stuff down by spoonfuls. The mint sounds refreshing. Do you toast your pine nuts?
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I never realize how much I love pesto until I made it with part spinach (instead of all basil). I always thought it was too strong. But yours with mint in addition I think would be even better! And I never thought of making it without the parmesan, but it certainly would cost less and even be healthier. Thanks for the idea!
Dr.Kim from FamilyNatural.com
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That looks so great! We have never had pesto in a meal before. I am going to have to try it!
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I freeze pesto as well. I primarily freeze in small amounts to add to soup, pizza, etc. later in the year. For that I use a muffin tin. Put muffin liners in the tin and a couple of spoons of pesto. After it’s frozen take the pesto and paper liners out and freeze in a freezer bag or container. Take out as many (or few) as you need later.
I notice you didn’t add parmesan cheese. Is there a particular reason? Cheaper? Or do you add later?
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Oh Mary, that’s a great idea (the muffin liners)!!!! i made a bunch last year & i think i liked it better in march than i did fresh! someone posted a chicken-pesto quesadilla — such a simple idea — completely addictive! i’ll have to plant some spinach now, just to try this out. d’you think it’d be just as good w/ walnuts instead?
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Hubby LOVES pesto!
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I make a pesto with these same ingredients, and it is absolutely DELICIOUS! I add a little parmesan in mine if I have it, and either use it over chicken, pasta, or shrimp/salmon. It is absolutely delicious in summer with seafood or shellfish. Very light and simple. Of course, living on the coast we get cheap fresh seafood, so it’s easier to make a $5 dinner from seafood down here
Even my 19 month old loves pesto!
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Pine nuts are not cheap. Can you substitute ?
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