I must admit that I am in love

with Basil.

Basil brings an abundance of joy to my heart, and makes my stomach smile. “Why”, you ask? Well for starters, Basil is a beautiful AND very beneficial herb to have growing in the garden. Medicinally, basil is a gentle carminative and general tonic for the digestive system. The French consider basil to be a “royal” culinary herb; the Greek word “basileus” literally translates to “king”. Stomachs are smiling all over the planet, the use of this culinary herb can be found in cuisines and kitchens all over the world. Fresh basil is full off flavor, its fragrant aromatic compounds and high content of essential oils are found in the leaves. The fresh leaves and pure oils are used as aromatherapy to enhance concentration and fight fatigue. Growing Basil benefits the garden as well, those same aromatic essential oils are found in a growing plant, which help deter insects and attract beneficial bugs. Basil serves as a perfect companion plant when grown near tomatoes.

This year’s basil harvests have been out of this world! I have been harvesting bushels of green, lush basil from our garden, and am happy to have a plentiful source in my own backyard. Basil is loving me and growing beautifully in the central Texas climate, PLUS having all this prolific basil allows me to spread yummy kitchen love to you. There is just nothing better than garden fresh basil. Uh, wait.

There’s just one thing that can be better…using fresh basil to create

Texas Pecan Pesto. Fa la la la, basil makes my stomach sing a yummy harmony, blended into a perfect condiment.

It all starts with fresh basil baby.

The very first harvest from my basil crops. Pictured (front to back) Dark Opal, Red Ruben, Genovese Basil and Lemon Basil.

Basil is growing out of my ears, and you will find it placed in vases all around my house. I swear I ain’t kiddin’, see all this basil love? Basil, my love, loves me back.

Doesn’t it feel good to be loved?

And get good love like this. Texas Pecan Pesto for days… my first batch of the season, filled and packaged into these cute reusable salt & pepper shakers. I am spreading love all over the place – well at least spreading my love for Texas Pecan Pesto.

Speaking of love, I truly love sharing this pesto creation which features a local nut. No, not me. The Pecan silly. These here are from Bastrop, where my Bastropian beer brewing brother lives. Hi bro. Bastrop has some beautiful pecan trees and these are some that were given to us last year from my sister in law’s mom’s trees, which happens to be right outside her back door.

Look at these beauties – Bastrop Pecans are so good fresh, shelled and popped right into the kisser. They are also sooo good in my Texas Pecan Pesto.

Once you get a taste of this super easy, creamy concoction you will never want to go back to the store bought stuff again!

Let’s make us some Texas Pecan Pesto. I made a double batch, but I’m providing you with my original recipe.

Equipment:
Food Processor or Blender
Juicer, hand or electric

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil leaves (& a few flowers)

2 lemons, juiced
3-6 cloves garlic

½ cup olive oil

½ cup Texas Pecans

½ cup Parmesan cheese, chopped big chunks
Salt & Pepper

Add the following ingredients into a food processor or blender:

Whole peeled garlic cloves,

Texas Pecans (cause they are the best!),

Parmesan cheese chunks,

fresh basil,

olive oil

and the zesty lemon juice.

Add a pinch of salt and some fresh ground pepper.

Now the hard part.

Put the lid on, and process or blend on high until

you get this. Super, creamy dreamy Texas Pecan Pesto.

Texas Pecan Pesto- a gift that keeps on giving!

 Printable Recipe

Texas Pecan Pesto
2 cups basil leaves (& flowers), fresh
2 lemons, juiced
3-6 cloves garlic
½ cup chopped Texas Pecans
½ cup Parmesan cheese, chopped big chunks
½ cup olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Pick off the leaves; gently wash and pat dry. Add all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender. Puree or blend on high until mixture is a creamy, semi-smooth consistency. Especially great when added to pasta, rice, and vegetables dishes. Flavors meat wonderfully and can be used in marinades. Can also be added to dressings or spreads. Texas pecan Pesto spreads good love. Enjoy!