By Earlier this year I purchased a mini-Auk. It’s a fun little invention that allows me to grow fresh herbs with very little effort. My first attempt as Farmer Mary was basil, because who doesn’t love basil? I planted the seeds and loaded the water trough and got out of the way.
And boy did those seeds grow!
The first harvesting I gave to my sister. Partially because I wasn’t sure what to do with the basil (fully expected it to die) and partially because she was SO excited for me. The plants continue to thrive and produce loads of leaves, so it was time for a second harvest which I kept for myself. I made pesto sauce, which is the source of your entertainment today.
Ingredients
- Bowl full of fresh basil
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1.75 ounces grated parmesan
- 2 tablespoons of pine nuts
This was a recipe that Auk sent to me. I’d love to tell you I followed it exactly, but that would be a lie. So allow me to share my tweaks. I decided to roast the garlic and the pine nuts. My sister had suggested that and it sounded like a great idea. Of course I winged the toasting part. I had something in the oven at a high heat (450ºF) so I wrapped the garlic and the nuts in aluminum foil and threw them in for about 10 minutes. Nothing burned but I would be very careful here (I checked on them twice). So far, so good.
Now it’s time to dust off the immersion blend, with the simplest instructions – throw all ingredients in together and blend.
So I did. I thought things looked okay but something looked off. I reviewed the ingredient list again and realized I had FORGOTTEN to add a key ingredient, grated parmesan cheese. Oops. I also realized that in skimming the recipe, I had flip flopped measurements (I very carefully weighed out 1.75 ounces of pine nuts). A quick google search indicated to me that my ratios were off (1.75 ounces = 3.5 tablespoons). I pressed on and just hoped that my pesto sauce wouldn’t be too nutty. I threw in the cheese and proceeded to blend some more. Ta da!
The sauce tastes pretty good (or as good as it can taste at 8 am while drinking coffee – not quite a breakfast item). I’ll throw it on some noodles tonight and will update with my thoughts.
The only casualty was my poor immersion blender, which is part of a hand mixer I bought at least two decades ago (likely longer, but that would require me to recognize my age, which I refuse to) at Dillard’s in Dallas Texas… on sale (price tag was still on the box). Rest in peace (or in pieces), Immersion blender. You served me well.
Let me know what you think!
