Of alllll the memories that Summer of 2020 is dishing up for us, one small but significant reflection for me will be of my planter garden. Situated just steps from the house, we have two boxes brimming with delectable basil. For the first time ever, I planted basil, along with a couple of heirloom tomato plants, hot peppers, and mint, in cedar boxes. From the bird’s eye view of our kitchen window, we’ve been able to watch these fluffy beauties grow taller by the day. This year, I’ve made and frozen more pesto than ever before, generating enough to keep cold winter nights warm. When only the bright flavors of summer will do, homemade basil pesto will come to our rescue!
With that, I’ve decided to share a bunch of my favorite basil-y recipes, along with my tried and true pesto recipe with instructions for freezing. 🙂
Girelle with Basil Pesto & Sautéed Tomatoes
We love our basil. And our garlic. Oh yeah, our cheese too. Throw in some toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, olive oil, and pasta, and we are living large, my friends!
Caprese Bruschetta with Crispy Eggplant
You know what makes me happy in the summer? Caprese Bruschetta with Crispy Eggplant… My guess is, it will make you happy too!
Blueberry Basil No-Churn Ice Cream
Blueberry Basil No-Churn Ice Cream with its soft-serve complexion and sweet fruity notes is my ice cream of choice today….actually, most days!
Roasted Eggplant, Tomato & Basil Pizza
This mouth-watering Roasted Eggplant, Tomato and Basil Pizza will turn your kitchen into an Italian pizzeria!
Whether for breakfast or lunch, as an afternoon pick-me-up or late night snack, Avocado Crostini hits the spot every time!
Let’s see, how shall I say this? Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad equals the flavors of Italy x 1000!
Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino Romano & Sweet Basil
Whatever the question, Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino Romano & Sweet Basil is the answer.
Italian Chicken with Basil Pesto Grape Tomatoes
Now that’s Italian! Tender organic chicken legs fried in a golden mix of butter, olive oil and fresh garlic, topped with homemade basil pesto, finished with a sprinkling of sliced grape tomatoes…
Rigatoni with Basil Walnut Pesto & Crispy Onions
An easy and delicious meatless meal, Rigatoni with Basil Walnut Pesto & Crispy Onions just might become your new favorite!
Prime Rib Panini with Pesto & Mozzarella
Prime Rib Panini with Pesto & Mozzarella is a great sandwich to enjoy for dinner or as a snack. With leftover prime rib and staple pantry ingredients, I can’t resist sharing this mouthwatering pressed sandwich.
Buon Appetito!
QUESTION: WHAT SPECIAL MEMORY FROM THIS SUMMER WILL STAY WITH YOU?
Ten Terrific Basil Recipes
Description
Nothing better than homemade basil pesto!!
Ingredients
4 cups packed fresh basil leaves
3 – 5 cloves garlic, lightly chopped (you know me…the more the better!)
1/2 – 1 cup toasted pine nuts (place pine nuts in a small frying pan and toast for 2–3 minutes until slightly browned and aromatic)
1 cup of olive oil
kosher salt and cracked black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
Instructions
Combine the basil, garlic, and toasted pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
Slowly add the 1 cup olive oil. Process until fully incorporated and smooth.
Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a bowl and mix in (by hand) the Romano cheese. *
Notes
*If freezing: Pour pesto into ice cube trays (before adding the cheese) and wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil. Once the cubes are frozen, remove from trays and place in freezer bags. When ready to use, defrost, and at this point, add your grated cheese. Ready to serve.
I’m so glad you grew basil. Trust me, you can’t even kill it if you tried! I’ve had bushes of basil in some of the worst planting conditions. I made pesto yesterday, and am making another blender jar today. My husband loves it so much he could practically put it on ice cream! But when I make it in bulk, I don’t include the cheese. I freeze the jars, and they stay frozen very well, and after thawing, I simply add the condensed pesto, then add the Parmesan. it works so well. I love all of your recipes with pesto.
Yes! I think I could put it on ice cream too! 🙂 Homemade pesto is the bomb!! Thanks, Mimi!
I’ll be popping over to my neighbors and grabbing all the basil today Annie! She has tons and is always telling me to grab some! That Caprese Bruschetta with Crispy Eggplant is calling my name!
Oh yessss! That is happening in our house, too! Thanks, friend!
I love basil so much — thanks for putting together this list of recipes Annie! Can’t wait to try them 🙂
You’re very welcome! 🙂
My basil plants are exploding right now, so this is the perfect post for me to read! All of these look delicious! I see a lot of green in our future 🙂
Yess! Let’s hear it for all the green!! 🙂
Basil is my favourite! What a delicious round up of wonderful recipes 🙂
Thanks, Alex! My favorite too! 🙂
I can not get enough of fresh basil this time of year, Annie! We’ve been getting it every week in our farm share and I’m so excited to have more inspiring recipes to choose from. Thank you so much!
Nothing better than fresh basil! It works in so many things! 🙂
Basil is the one thing that is always on my windowsill! Sometimes I just learn over and sniff it 🙂 So needless to say, I’m all over ALL of these wonderful basil recipes!
Basil is good for the soul! And the aroma in the house while making all that pesto to freeze…oh my! Thanks, Jennifer!
Love fresh basil and homemade pesto! You have some great recipes here Annie! I’ve got my eye on that blueberry basil ice cream!
Ooooh – that ice cream is a real treat! Thanks, Leanne!
I love basil and all these recipes look delicious! We haven’t had much luck growing basil in the post, but we have one plant now that looks promising (fingers crossed). Can’t wait to try some of these out…that pizza is particularly calling my name! Happy weekend ahead 🙂 XOXO
I can’t get enough basil on my plate, these days! Oh yesss, that pizza’s a tasty one! Thanks, Dawn! Happy weekend to you too! xoxo