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Pesto

July 12, 2020 04:30AM
My Basil plants are lush and growing like crazy. Cut back bunches and gave to my family and neighbors. We all just freeze and use in sauce or chopped over pasta. Who makes pesto here? I have read conflicting opinions over using a food processor or blender. Have any of you made it in a blender? What's your secret? TY in advance.
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July 12, 2020 04:15PM
I have not made it, but.... I did a search on pesto recipes and the top 3, all given 5 stars by a ton of reviewers used either a processor or a blender. None used the classic mortar and pestle. The only comment was that one author opined that a blender would result in a smoother mixture that a food processor.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/13/2020 01:18PM by walesmaven.
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July 13, 2020 04:09AM
Wow! I read exactly the opposite i.e. the texture with a blender is not smoother. Thank you, I will try it in the blender as my food processor went bye bye.
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July 17, 2020 03:17AM
Madetoshop, what/whose recipe are you using? When my basil gets nice and full, I'm going to use my food processor to make pesto.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
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July 17, 2020 03:57AM
If I have too much fresh basil, cilantro or parsley, I freeze it. With a knife, I chiffonade or chop the leaves, put them in an ice cube tray, cover with olive, coconut, canola, oil of choice and freeze. Release them into a freezer bag. As many individual cubes as needed can be used in sauces, soups, etc. I make pesto with the cubes, rather than make pesto and freeze it. Typically, pesto contains pine nuts. They're pricey. I use toasted almonds. I've got an old 4-cup Oster mini-chopper and prefer using it to the blender,
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July 17, 2020 04:07AM
Honny, I googled Pesto recipes and read a bunch of them. Aside from the normal ingredients, there were conflicting opinions regarding the use of a food processor or blender. Most said the texture was 2nd to using a food processor. Apparently you can use raw almonds or walnuts instead of pine nuts. Going to do it in my blender. My leaves are air drying overnight.
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July 17, 2020 04:10AM
Mert, my original thought was to use my mini chop. Mine is only 2 cups. Too small. Do you do the ice pesto often?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2020 04:12AM by Madetoshop.
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July 17, 2020 04:14AM
Madetoshop, Congrats on a bountiful crop!

Every year, I do the frozen cubes. Then I use the cubes to make pesto, as needed.
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July 17, 2020 04:17AM
My Mom's commands are to drive to her hiuse and get her mortar and pestle. I told her no and am now ignoring her.
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July 17, 2020 04:46AM
Mert, I haven't grown Basil in couple of years. I gave to my friends and family as I usually use it in sauce and pasta. This year, I have 6 beautiful bushes. Gave Ziploc bag full to friends, neighbors, family. We have it coming out of our ears. It smells so good!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2020 04:47AM by Madetoshop.
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