I don't know about you, but I'm a HUGE fan of kitchen gadgets! Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a fan of virtually any type of tool but kitchen tools are pretty high up on my list.
When I was invited to a kitchen gadget exchange party by Kellie of Eat Pray {Read} Love, a few weeks ago, needless to say, I jumped at the chance.
The limit was $10 and Kelli paired us up. This is what arrived in my box from Allie at A Day In A Joyful Life . I couldn't wait to try them out!
Given that it's been a beastly hot summer and fresh herbs like basil are running rampant in my garden, there was only one logical thing to do: Try out my new tools to make pesto!
First up, this little gadget.
It's called a "garlic zoom". Simply load the garlic on the top, zip it back and forth a couple of times and voila!
Amazing, right!? Next, the sharpest little grater I've used in a while.
I'm all about "fast food", but only when the fast means quick. With these tools, the entire process took about 10 minutes. Dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less!? Sign me up!
Basic Basil Pesto:
Recipe:
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 4 minutes)
- 3 medium cloves of garlic chopped and lightly browned in a skillet
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 TBS fresh parsley mixed with just a little lemon juice (it keeps the pesto nice and bright green)
- 7 TBS extra virgin olive oil, salt (to taste)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- Place the toasted nuts, garlic, basil/parsley (First, bruise the leaves of these together in a freezer bag by beating with a mallet, or using a rolling pin -- or if you have one, a mortar and pestle), oil, and 1/2 tsp of salt in a food processor, and process until smooth.
- Transfer to a small bowl and stir in cheese.
- If you're not using it right away, place a layer of plastic wrap over the top and refrigerate for up to three days.
- If you're using on pasta, be sure to mix about a 1/4 cup of reserved pasta cooking water into the pesto before you toss through the pasta. ENJOY!
I'm linking this post to:
Between Naps On The Porch
Coastal Charm
Gingersnap Crafts
I Gotta Create
It's So Very Cheri
New House New Home New Life
You Are Talking Too Much
