Buddhapesto (12 Pestos)

Pesto Pointers:

• Give your everyday meals a gourmet feel with pesto. Pesto is a combination of fragrant basil leaves, hearty garlic, fresh Pecorino Romano, rich olive oil, and delicate pine nuts, pureed to a delectable, thick sauce. Pesto has its origins in Liguria, Italy, where people have been making it for hundreds of years with the brilliant green basil that grows wild on the hillsides. The popularity of pesto has spread like crazy as people across the world have come to love its heady aroma and its bold, satisfying flavor.
• The fresh basil that goes into pesto is very delicate. It will turn brown if it gets very hot or if it's exposed to air for long periods of time. This means that you shouldn't boil or microwave your pesto if you want it to remain a beautiful, brilliant green color. When mixing it with pasta, potatoes, risotto and the like, stir in the pesto at the last minute, just before serving. You can store an opened container of pesto for a week in the refrigerator; keep it looking fresh and green by blocking out the oxygen. Do this by covering the top with a layer of olive oil or by laying a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pesto.
• If you want to preserve your pesto for more than a week, remember that it freezes beautifully. One clever way to freeze pesto in manageable portion sizes is to spoon it into an ice cube tray, wait until it freezes solid, and then transfer it to a heavy, freezer-proof plastic bag. Thaw frozen pesto in the refrigerator or in the microwave on medium power just until room-temperature.
• Whether you choose to make your own or take advantage of the convenience of Buddhapesto, see what it can do for your meals! We think your family will be saying, "More pesto please!"