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spinach

How to Freeze Basil Pesto

October 9, 2014 by Becky

tips to freeze pestoPesto is a great way to use up a lot of basil if your garden is bursting at the seams, or if you need to harvest it before a drop in temperature.  The basil pesto recipe we posted last week is a great one to try, especially if you’re looking for a less expensive pesto that still has wonderful flavor (we used pecans instead of pine nuts!).

But what if you make a big batch of pesto and you can’t finish it before it starts to go bad?  Freeze it!  Freezing pesto is simple, but we have a few tips to keep it fresh and green.  Pesto oxidizes (darkens when exposed to air), so keep reading to find out how to keep it looking bright and green!

Start out with clean ice cube trays and a cookie scoop.  My scoop is 1 tablespoon, and since two would have overfilled the tray, I placed one scoop in each pocket.  You will need just a little space at the top, so don’t fill it completely full.
freeze basil pesto 1
Once you have all of your pesto scooped into the trays, gently tap them on the counter to remove any air bubbles and to settle the pesto into an even layer.  Lightly drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the top of each pesto cube.  This will help seal out any air that could turn your pesto brown.  Freeze Pesto 2
When you are finished drizzling the oil, cover the tray with a layer of plastic wrap and press it gently onto the pesto to remove the air.  Once the air has been pressed out, just place it in the freezer!
freeze pesto 4
I missed a spot on the plastic wrap…it probably pulled when I picked up the tray.  Check yours before you set it in the freezer just to make sure it didn’t shift like mine!  Because of the oil, it retained it’s green color as it froze, but I like to be double sure that my food will be perfect when I want to use it!
freeze pesto 5
Once your pesto is frozen (I left mine overnight), remove the plastic wrap and run the bottom of the trays under cold water for a second or two to loosen the pesto, if necessary (be careful not to get water on the pesto).
freeze pesto 6
Label a gallon size freezer bag, being sure to include the size of your pesto cubes.
freeze pesto 7
Now just remove the cubes from the trays and toss them all in the bag!
freeze pesto 8
They should be a lovely green color.  Now you are ready to pull out exactly how much you need when you’re ready to eat it!  Garden-fresh flavor any time.  Doesn’t get much better!
freeze pesto 9Be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before you put your bag of pesto in the freezer, and you’re done!  Easy!

Filed Under: Herbs, Recipes Tagged With: basil, food, garlic, how to's, recipe, recipes, spinach, tips, vegetarian, veggies

Basil Pesto

October 1, 2014 by Becky

If you still have tons of basil in your garden and can’t stand to see it go to waste at the end of the season, basil pesto is the perfect solution!  You can make it exactly how you like it for MUCH less than you will pay at the grocery store.  It’s delicious in all sorts of recipes…and you can even freeze it (stay tuned for simple instructions)!  There are so many reasons to make pesto, so don’t let that beautiful basil go to waste!

basil pesto 2

Pesto is very versatile…you can make it a strong flavor or make it more mild (which is especially helpful if you’re cooking for kids – or anyone else – who doesn’t like strong flavors!), and you can even add in other greens and different kinds of nuts.  This recipe changes up traditional pesto just a little bit, but it still has a wonderful, rich flavor that will make you happy you made a big batch!  You can always make a smaller batch, but if you have a lot of basil from your garden, this recipe is perfect for using it up!

Print

Ingredients

3.1
https://westerngardens.com/basil-pesto/

Enjoy your pesto tossed with pasta, on baked potatoes or spread on bread!  And stay tuned for some upcoming recipes that use this delicious pesto!

Pine nuts are traditionally used in pesto, and walnuts are often used as a substitution.  We used pecans in our recipe and loved the results!

For a stronger flavor, add in one additional cup of basil leaves and omit the spinach.

Filed Under: Herbs, Recipes Tagged With: basil, food, gardening, recipe, recipes, spinach, vegetarian, veggies

Spinach Salad with Marinated Tomato & Basil

September 16, 2014 by Becky

Tomatoes in a salad are nothing new.  More like an old standby, really.  But if you are new to marinating tomatoes before you add them to your salad, this recipe just might knock your socks off!

Spinach SaladPerhaps unless you’re shopping at a farmer’s market, homegrown garden-fresh tomatoes really have no equal.  Even a good, expensive tomato from the grocery store can never compare in flavor and texture to a vine-ripened, juicy tomato from the garden.  John Denver even sang about homegrown tomatoes!  If you’ve never heard the song, give it a listen.  It’s cute…and true.  Winter without homegrown tomatoes is most definitely a “culinary bummer!”

The balsamic dressing for this salad is simple and goes together quickly, but it adds a wonderful dimension to the tomatoes.  With just a few simple ingredients, your side salad will become the highlight of your meal!

Print

Ingredients

3.1
https://westerngardens.com/spinach-salad-marinated-tomato-basil/

Spinach Salad 2Give this simple salad a try and you might just start marinating all your tomatoes!

For more great recipes using tomatoes and basil, check out:

  • Bruschetta
  • Caprese Appetizers
  • Grilled Caprese Sandwiches

Filed Under: Recipes, Tomatoes, Vegetables Tagged With: basil, food, recipes, salad, spinach, tomatoes

Berry Green Smoothie

June 11, 2014 by Becky

Berry Green Smoothie 2 If you are looking for a little variety in your green smoothie repertoire , try this Berry Green Smoothie!  It’s loaded with greens, but still has enough fruit to make it sweet for my picky kids.  Green smoothies are the best when it comes to great nutrition that I can actually get IN my kids!

Smoothies are great for getting fruits and veggies in kids and adults alike.  If you have a hard time getting your kids to eat a variety of veggies, try juicing small amounts of your vegetable choice and putting it in a smoothie.  It will give them added nutrition while helping them acquire a taste for those veggies they think they don’t like!  Sometimes all it takes is a little exposure for kids to realized they actually do like it!…

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Filed Under: Recipes, Vegetables Tagged With: berries, Lemon, recipe, smoothie, spinach, vegan, vegetarian, veggies

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