Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Fernbank Summer Camp Pesto Tasting

 


Fernbank Summer Camp has been tending and watching the Fernbank School Garden grow.  Last week basil and garlic were harvested to make pesto pasta.  David Tharp (Assistant Store Team Leader), Jayme Persons (Marketing Team Leader) and Matt Bagby (Demo Specialist) of Whole Foods Briarcliff helped the kids harvest, prepare and serve pesto pasta at lunch time. Whole Foods generously provided the cooked pasta and supplies. 

This recipe is a kid pleaser!

Ingredients

·         1/4 cup walnuts
·         1/4 cup pignolis (pine nuts)
·         3 tablespoons chopped garlic (9 cloves)
·         5 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
·         1 teaspoon kosher salt
·         1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
·         1 1/2 cups good olive oil
·         1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Place the walnuts, pignolis, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days. (Recipe: Ina Garten)