Garlic Basil pesto recipe request

Liz and I brought in a huge crop of basil yesterday so: Tons of pesto recipes on the web and most are similar but do you have a favorite?

Liz and I brought in a huge crop of basil yesterday so: Tons of pesto recipes on the web and most are similar but do you have a favorite?

The basic pesto can't really be improved upon much, but try using pistachio nuts in place of pine nuts.

I take the last of our basil and blend with olive oil and garlic and make ice cubes of it so that i can store it for winter and use the cubes either for saute cooking or to add nuts and cheese later for a pesto.

I do what Thomas does. Instead of ice cubes, I use muffin trays with paper liners to freeze. As mentioned, add the cheese when ready to use.

I do what Thomas does. Instead of ice cubes, I use muffin trays with paper liners to freeze. As mentioned, add the cheese when ready to use.

Muffin trays? Then how do you make muffins on a cold winter day??? I rarely need ice then

I make all kinds of pesto, and love to play around with the flavors. Basically what I do is make a standard pesto recipe.....but add or substitute. To the basic recipe you can certainly add fresh garlic, however much you want. I also add fresh lemon juice and/or zest. Sometimes I make parsley, cilantro, or arugula pesto using the same measurements for regular. I favor adding less oil than called for. I use all sorts of nuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia, almonds. I have even added Serrano peppers, jalapeño, or roasted sweet Italian to cilantro, or parsley pesto. Just play with it. You will soon get your favorites. Taste as you go, you can always add more flavor. Oh, and I play around with different oils too, walnut, almond, pistachio, and so on. I freeze my pesto in ice cube trays, then put the cubes in Food Saver bags. Be sure to label your flavors on the bag. I forgot to do that one year and had a hard time pulling the right pesto for the recipe I was making.

Muffin trays? Then how do you make muffins on a cold winter day??? I rarely need ice then

Actaully, the paper tray liners remove easily from the tray once the pesto is solidified and get putin freezer bags. This frees up the tray for other more important tasks.

Thanks everyone. Today's Pesto Day.
JP