This is an archived web presentation from the NMNH Education Department and is no longer being maintained. For questions about this site please contact: education@si.edu.

Pesto

When we got the pesto,
It looked gross at first.
But it cured all our hunger,
Unfortunately not our thirst.

-Richard Davis and Chris Pelzer

Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh basil leaves
4 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons walnuts or pine nuts, chopped
3/4 cup olive oil
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Two pounds pasta (spaghetti, fettucini noodles, or penne)

Place basil, garlic, walnuts, and 1/2 of the olive oil in a food processor. Process until everything is finely chopped together. Slowly add the rest of the olive oil. Add the cheese, a pinch of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Process to combine ingredients. Place in a bowl and mix with two pounds of cooked pasta.

Make sun-dried tomato pesto by adding 1 cup dried tomatoes, which have been soaked in hot water for 15-20 minutes, to the basil mixture while you are mixing the ingredients in the food processor.

Back to 'Recipes'
Back to 'Seeds of Change Garden'

Send questions, comments, and corrections to the webmaster.