Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Pesto
There are some classic things that just go great together. For some, it’s Sundays and football. For others, it’s chocolate and peanut butter. For me, it’s food and the holidays.
We go through a ton of pesto in our house. Basil grows wild in our garden, so Kenya and I make a new batch every few weeks to eat and give to friends. There are all different kinds of pestos and we have lots of fun experimenting and making all different kinds. Last week, I bought a jar of sun dried tomatoes at Trader Joe’s ($3.69) and thought they would be delicious pureed into a pesto.
This is one of my favorite gifts to make and eat, especially this time of year. The rich red, white and green colors of this pesto couldn’t make it more perfect for Christmas. Here’s what I suggest:
1. Multiply the recipe an make a big batch (it’s ridiculously easy to do).
2. Fill mason jars (you can get them at craft stores or most groceries) with the pesto and add your own labels with the recipe written on them so your friends can remake it if they like it (and I promise they will!).
3. Place the jars in a festive bag or basket with a box of nice pasta.
For less then $7 you’ve got a holiday gift that everyone in the family with enjoy And it will seem like you spent much more!
Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Pesto (Makes 1 1/2 Cups Pesto)
1 8.5 oz Jar Sun Dried Tomatoes
1 Cup Basil, packed
1 Small Garlic Clove
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1/2 Tsp Salt
1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth (if the pesto is too thick, add additional olive oil).
2. Serve.
*Place into ice cube trays and freeze then pop into ziploc bags. When ready, defrost in fridge for 24 hours or toss in with your hot pasta – tossing until it defrosts.
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Tags: baby food recipes, basil, cheap holiday recipes, cooking for kids, garlic, garlic cloves, holiday food recipes, holiday gifts, holiday pasta recipes, holiday recipes, home made baby food, making baby food, mason jars, parmesan cheese, pest recipes, pesto, sun dried tomatoes
We love pesto, but recently discovered that my son is allergic to pine nuts. I can’t wait to try this recipe! We have lots of frozen chopped basil, so I’m going to give it a try. Hopefully we’ll all be able to enjoy pesto again! Thanks!
We made this last night and my whole family loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
@Jessica: I made a pesto recipe from a friend that calls or sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts. It turned out great. Maybe you could try them as a substitute.
Oh my goodness! I made this with toasted sunflower seeds instead of cheese because my son is allergic – it’s amazing!! I would eat it right out of the bowl.