Video: Make and Store Pesto

See a time-saving trick to have delicious homemade pesto on hand any time.

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“Shortcut Cooking” presents practical tips and timesaving techniques to help you get dinner done fast. In this video, you’ll learn a time-saving trick for storing delicious homemade pesto, so you’ll have it on hand any time! First, you’ll see how to make a classic pesto sauce in the food processor and get a tip for adding vibrant color to the sauce. Then you’ll see how to freeze pesto so it’s available in handy-size portions any time you need a quick pasta dinner or have a recipe that calls for pesto. A little pre-made pesto is great on baked salmon or chicken and as a sauce for pizza or pasta.

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Comments

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Joannepapa

Jan. 19, 2013 1:59 am

I have a "ton" of basil in my freezer from last summer's harvest. Can I use frozen basil to make this recipe? Not only do I store it loose in bags, but my tip is after washing and drying I tightly wrap 6 or 7 leaves in a small piece of paper towel (resembling little cigars) and put in a freezer bag. When a recipe calls for basil, I just pull out one of these " little cigars"

ted

Sep. 29, 2012 1:51 pm

so where is the recepie tosave??????

peppermeridel

Aug. 18, 2012 5:50 pm

Thanks for commenting on the blender.I like using clippings for chicken and pasta,Im just wary my plant wont make it through the winter .With your advice im encouraged to clip more,and give it a chance.Funny thing you should mention the bacon!I just had an incident where I backed up against a hot cookie pan.Now I have a funny shaped blister I cant get a good look at!

KITZER

Aug. 17, 2012 5:24 pm

PEPPERMERIDEL - Hello Minneapolis, Minnetonka here!! I always use a food processor because that is what I use more often than a blender. My sister is just the opposite using her blender more often. It's a toss up!! I'm surprised that you don't use your basil all the time! The more you pick the leaves, the more it gives back! I've been using mine for months, and I'm about to make maybe my 5th batch of pesto. I use basil in and on just about everything. Chicken to pasta to salads to - YUM - Basil Butter!! "Never Fry Bacon in the Nude!"

peppermeridel

Aug. 17, 2012 3:27 pm

I too have wondered about using a blender instead of a food processo.Space is at a minimum in my kitchen. If anyone trys this leave a message I have a basil plant I need to harvest soon.

erisleo

Jun. 19, 2012 8:52 pm

When the cubes are hard enough, transfer to a freezer bag so that they will not absorb other freezer odors or affect other stuff in the freezer.

Liz

Jun. 19, 2012 4:53 am

gregsdouglas, you have a point.

shellydanger

Jun. 18, 2012 10:20 am

This is probably a silly question, but would it possible to use a regular blender in place of a food processor? I have limited kitchen counter top space and storage but I already have a blender