Basil Garden Spreads

When there’s extra basil lying around, (which happens a lot), one alternative to tossing it out with the grass clippings is to make garden spreads. Much fresher, and FREE if you already have some other stuff, like sour cream, Parmesan cheese, oil and garlic in the kitchen.

Good uses for basil sour cream:

• garnish in roasted red pepper puree
• topping for baked fish (halibut, sea bass, etc.)

Good uses for pesto:

• base sauce in pizzetta
• alternative to mayonnaise in sandwiches
• add to some caramelized onions on baked crostini
• topping for baked fish (halibut, sea bass, etc.)

Enjoy!

[K]

If you had herbs in your yard, would you go through the effort of making your own herbed spreads?

Basil Sour Cream

~

~ Ingredients ~

• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• ½ cup sour cream

~ Preparation ~

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

1. In a saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch basil for two seconds. Transfer with slotted spoon to bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain basil in a sieve and pat dry.
2. In a food processor, puree basil with lemon juice and sour cream until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Sour cream will keep a few days.

Source: Rustic Garden Bistro

Nutrition content per serving: ??

Cost per serving: ??

Garden Pesto

Garden Pesto

~

~ Ingredients ~

• 4 cups packed fresh basil leaves, rinsed clean
• ½ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1 ½ oz.)
• 2 large garlic cloves
• ¼ cup + 3 tbsp. olive oil

~ Preparation ~

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

1. Broil pine nuts for about 2 minutes to toast. Let cool for 5 minutes and chop.
2. Set aside a bowl with ice and water.
3. In a saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch basil for two seconds. Transfer with slotted spoon to bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain basil in a sieve and pat dry.
4. In a food processor, puree basil with remaining ingredients until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Pesto will keep a few days before turning color.

Source: Rustic Garden Bistro

Nutrition content per serving: ??

Cost per serving: ??

Tagged as: Basil, Sour Cream