Where was pesto 10 years ago?

     Do any of you remember this scene from Seinfeld? I have to share it, I loved Seinfeld and still do….
This is from a website called “Seinfeld Scripts” if you want to read the entire scene its hilarious!

GEORGE: Why do I get pesto? Why do I think I’ll like it? I keep trying to like it, like I have to like it.

JERRY: Who said you have to like it?

GEORGE: Everybody likes pesto. You walk into a restaurant, that’s all you hear – pesto, pesto, pesto.

JERRY: I don’t like pesto.

GEORGE: Where was pesto 10 years ago?

I can’t believe that Jerry doesn’t like pesto….its wonderful and easy to make but I had to laugh at George’s line “Where was pesto 10 years ago?” because I sure don’t remember eating pesto growing up….I wonder who made Pesto mainstream?  Was it Rachael Ray, Giada de Laurentiis or Paula Dean perhaps?

Here is my easy recipe for pesto but keep in mind my recipe is based on your budget at the time.  Since I work for the school system I keep my budget on the cheap in the summer but in this version

you will see as I list the recipe out you can modify this recipe to suit your needs.

KarenLynn’s Pesto 

• 2 cloves of garlic or 1 clove of garlic and a 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 C. lightly packed basil leaves (If you have more pack it in do this to suit your tastes)
• 1/2 C. grated fresh parmesan or in my case 1/2 C. Great Value parmesan cheese from you guessed it Walmart…or any generic brand
• 1/2 C. olive oil (I bought mine at Big Lots) it tastes wonderful!  Don’t be scared to try budget store olive oil
• 2. T. pine nuts (these are from Costco) in this case buying bulk is better as pine nuts are very expensive from the grocery store and you can just make tons of recipes with pine nuts of course unless you are allergic.
• Salt and Pepper to taste.
• I wash the basil leaves (I do not destem), I throw all the ingredients in the food processor and pulse….it is that simple….pulse the processor until the pesto looks the way you like it!

I typically serve with pasta,however tonight I am serving this pesto over chicken breasts with salad and garlic bread.  I will freeze the other half of pesto for a simple meal over pasta at a later date since I am going back to work full time soon.  Pesto freezes very well and actually I may have enough to freeze 2 additional servings….a little bit goes a long way and its a very economical meal but it tastes very rich and decadent!  I hope you enjoy!  Let me know how you like to serve it!

Thanks for stopping by as always!