Homemade Pesto

What does a girl who doesn't like pesto do when presented with a huge basil plant?

Make pesto... duh.

I shouldn't say that I hate it. Rather, I should point out that I have tried many different types of pesto and unfortunately disliked almost all of them. Too oily. Tastes funny. Take your pick on a number of reasons why pesto isn't a favorite of mine.

But the summer is now at an end and I hardly used any of the bail that I grew this season. I distinctly remember grabbing some back in June for a penne dinner. I think I may have hurt the plant's feelings and it grew and grew and grew into this monstrosity (for a basil plant anyways).

I've been meaning to use you basil, really!

I finally got around to using it Thursday. I cut a bunch off the planter, but it doesn't even look like I put a dent in it. Wowsers. After I picked off all the usable leaves and gave it a good bath, I decided I would make a pesto.

Into a blender add 1/2 a cup of walnuts. Pulse to chop up a bit, and scrape the sides so you don't end up with that clump at the bottom. Add about 2 cups of clean basil leaves, half a lemon, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 4-5 smashed garlic cloves. While pulsing, slowly add in the olive oil. Scrape sides if needed. When it is completely blended, it's done (and hopefully it won't be too oily).

It's great on pasta, steak, lobster, corn, toasted crusty bread. That's all I've tried with it so far.

What do you like pesto with?