Pure Hunger

I have a child-like fascination with everything. I am easily amazed and thrilled by simplicity, when I’m paying attention. The problem is, I’m often lost in my own thoughts. Thinking about the conversation I had that didn’t go well yesterday or the upcoming event that I’m anxious about. When I tune in to that wonderful presence of this moment, however, I’m easily amused and feel enormously blessed. When I decided to try to learn how to make some very staple items in our home as my next adventure in cooking, I was yet again amazed by the simplicity. I was hoping to amaze you with my incredible cooking skills. Dazzle you with new words and fancy methods. As I write, however, I realize, there is no need for any of that, except of course to boost my fragile ego.

Ingredients

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper

I love to read about exotic and incredibly challenging recipes, but I rarely want to engage in the process of making them. What I come back to time and again is simplicity. The recipes that are quick, fresh, seasonal, local and taste wonderful. While pesto tastes exotic and complicated, it’s just as easy as making a smoothie. The hardest part is getting all the ingredients together and you need to have a strong blender or food processor.

While I’d like to think I’m so much cooler or more seasoned as a cook than you, my reader, the truth is, I’m really not. The only thing separating you from me is, well, possibly a blender. If you have that then there is no reason you shouldn’t give this recipe a shot and be prepared to use generously on bagels, sandwiches, pizza and pasta. I also encourage you to take your time, be fully present and baste in the simplicity of life.

Place basil, cheese, pine nuts and garlic in processor or strong blender. Process until ingredients form paste. Slowly pour in lemon juice. Add olive oil until mixture begins to look more like pesto spread. Remove from processor, bottle and consume.