"hey pesto"

If you don't like pesto, you probably wont read this, so I shall say "hi" and "bye" to you, if you do like pesto then come in, have a seat, get comfy and enjoy!

Pesto facts:
Pesto originates from Northern Italy, more specifically the Liguria region (I like specific)

The ingredients, in a traditional pesto, are ground in a circular motion using a pestle and mortar

Ingredients:
Dried basil
Parmeggiano, reggiano and pecorino
Extra virgin olive oil
salt

It's a great thing to have in the cupboard for when you want something quick.

Recipes:

Turkey pesto salad with cashews

I like to make salads quite interesting. I tend to throw in lots of things aswell as the standard lettuce toms and cucumber.

When I make this salad I cook the turkey cover it in pesto and keep it warm in the pan.

For the salad I use spinach rather than mixed leaves (personal preference) rose tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, grated carrot, cashews and roasted sweet potatoes.

This is a lovely warm salad, full of flavour and the crunch of the cashews add to the different textures.

Pesto and pine nut pasta

Another simple recipe, If you use a frusilli or orrechiette pasta, the pesto tends to gather in the creases and folds, yum!

I usually add some cherry tomatoes and some pine nuts to make it more interesting and the flavour of the pine nuts is delicious.

Mozzerella and Basil sandwich

Pick a good bread for this one, standard white is a no no, you need a thick and fairly dry bread for example a ciabatta or maybe even a french baguette.

Spread the pesto on the bread and layer on milky mozzerella, slices of beef tomatoes and a few fresh basil leaves and "hey pesto" a deliciously flavoursome sandwich.

Feel free to share your pesto recipes!