Pesto!

megasaver · 25 March 2005 at 10:25AM

The other day I opened up a huge huge jar of homemade pesto that my Aunt had given me. I love it on pasta, but OH and DD don't! Knowing how much effort went into making it (Aunt even grows her own basil) I don't want it to end up in the bin like the other jars and I don't want to keep topping up with oil until I chuck it (what a waste). Would it be safe to freeze it in portions even though it has already been is a jar? Failing that has anybody got any recipes/ideas how I can use it in other things so OH and DD don't really know its there.

Thanks

Maria

debbym · 25 March 2005 at 11:03AM

Should be OK to freeze. I would do it in icecube trays so you could freeze a tsp at a time - bear in mind it will oxidise though so it will lose some of its colour and will start to taste 'metallic' but should be OK for up to about 6 months.?

We use pesto:
stirred into pasta/rice/couscous - hot or cold - makes a nice kind of salad base.
Stirred into something like spag bol or anywhere you would use mixed herbs or fresh basil, works just as well!
Spread thinly on pizza base before the tomato sauce. (even spread on 'toasty pizzas' for the kids for lunch. Normally if they can see it they don't like it :rotfl: )

tiff · 25 March 2005 at 11:16AM

You could stir it into mashed potato for extra flavour, it wont use up the whole jar though. I would try freezing it.

vanoonoo · 25 March 2005 at 12:35PM

we use pesto with gnocchi and with chicken and with anything tomato based. what is it about the pesto that they dont like? if its basil then you are on a bit of a losing streak I suspect. can you sterilise a smaller jar and re seal and save or donate to a friend or neighbour?

Caterina · 25 March 2005 at 12:51PM

It gives a great flavour to add to minestrone (mix veg soup) when you add a couple of spoonfuls of pesto in it (I think the French call this soup 'pistou').

Caterina

Sarahsaver · 25 March 2005 at 4:13PM

That's right,its Pistou, and by the way hi there Caterina;)
Pesto is lovely on baked potatoes, I know as I had run out of marg and cannot eat baked spuds plain.
Also try it on the top of chicken or fish to make it really tasty, just spread the pesto on top then cook the meat and it tastes delicious.
If you make bread you could add some to your bread.

stellagypsy · 25 March 2005 at 6:28PM

I put some in an omelette with tomatoes - that was nice. Also mix with crushed garlic and spread on bread then wrap in foil and bake in oven for really tasty garlic bread. Ithink I saw Delia putting it in mashed potatoes which sounds lovely but I've never tried this.

crana999 · 26 March 2005 at 2:41AM

you can put it over boiled potatoes too and also try stirring a bit into vegetabl;es like peas (i haven't tried this, ahem, it is on the back of sainsburys frozen peas packets!)

Juicy_Tube · 27 March 2005 at 1:04AM

I think Delia suggests using it in mash served with fish-keep meaning to try it as it sounds delish!

JT x

Caterina · 28 March 2005 at 3:13PM

Sarahsaver wrote:

That's right,its Pistou, and by the way hi there Caterina;)
Pesto is lovely on baked potatoes, I know as I had run out of marg and cannot eat baked spuds plain.
Also try it on the top of chicken or fish to make it really tasty, just spread the pesto on top then cook the meat and it tastes delicious.
If you make bread you could add some to your bread.

Hi Sarah

Great to be back typing about food hehehe

Caterina

Trow · 23 April 2005 at 5:35PM

Hi

Tonight we are having pesto with pasta, that is - DH and I are, the kids are having pasta with cheese and tom sauce

Anyway, we will only use half the jar (which was on special offer btw). Does anyone have any interesting ideas for pesto?

Thanks

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Pesto!

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