Fresh Pesto

Yesterday I made my first ever batch of fresh pesto using the basil I am growing in my garden.  It is so hot that most of my garden is just burning up in spite of it getting late afternoon shade and my watering efforts. 
I planted 2 basil plants which are doing pretty well, and I am keeping the blossoms pinched off of them.  I went out and harvested 2 big handfuls and made Pesto, which I didn't take any pictures of. This is a stock photo of basil...

I first put 4 cloves of garlic and a handful of walnuts in the food processor and ground them up. ( used walnuts because they are about $2 a pound and pine nuts are $30 a pound!)
Then I added the 2 handfuls of basil with a small sprig of fresh oregano I also grew in my garden. Then I threw in 2 big handfuls of fresh  spinach and processed it until it made a paste.  Then I added about 1/3 cup of parmesan, and with the processor running, I streamed in olive oil until it became the consistency I wanted, not too thick, not too runny.  I also added some sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

I tossed this with some hot angel hair pasta, and garnished it with chopped fresh tomato and some more parm.

It was yum!  The spinach kept it from getting so strong, and the walnuts added a nutty taste.  All that planting and watering was worth it! If I had to buy the basil, the cost would be just too much.

Hope you are keeping cool today!

SG