Sunday, August 28, 2011

summer fare

If I had to choose one favorite summer meal, it would be basil pesto and caprese salad. Simple. Easy. Uses several fresh ingredients from the garden. It makes me happy.

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Caprese Salad

Pour 2-3 Tablespoons of good balsamic vinegar into a bowl
Add fresh mozzarella medallions and halved cherry tomatoes
Mix well
Top with fresh shredded basil leaves
Drizzle with good olive oil

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Fresh Basil Pesto
PRINTABLE RECIPE

Place the following ingredients into a food processor:

2 cups fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup good olive oil

Mix until pureed and smooth

Add the above mixture to one package (16 oz.) of prepared pasta (I like linguine). Pass freshly grated parmesan at the table. You may want to add a little salt too.

I served this with a green salad, because I can't get enough of the fresh greens right now. The caprese can be served on the side with the green salad and the balsamic sauce can be drizzled onto the greens in place of dressing, so you don't add a foreign flavor to this delicious mix.

A freshly baked, warm baguette goes well with this too.

Enjoy with a glass (or two or three) of red wine on one of these warm summer evenings.

6 comments:

Sharon said...

Yum-yum! Great food and great photos, as usual!

happygirl said...

Can I just say, the best summer supper EVER. gorgeous

Cindy said...

Thanks guys! Your comments make my day!

Emily said...

It's not summer without 'em!

Cathy said...

It may be easy but it doesn't get much better than that. We are eating tomatoes at every meal. Just can't get enough of them.

jazgal said...

I have been reveling in caprese salads this summer - once those tomatoes kicked in, they had to get eaten up rapido, and this was a great way to go!!

I like Nonna's noodles (local, handmade Portland, Beaverton and Hillsdale Farmers Markets - that would be a delight with your light-touch pesto, mmmmm!