Maybe I should have left out the flowers

[dreamshark]

Our CSA delivery this week included remarkably few actual vegetables, but a whole sh*tload of basil. So I figured it was time to try that pesto recipe. It came out ... interesting. I haven't decided whether I like it or not. Was I supposed to use only the leaves? I included the flowers. Was that a mistake? The resulting pesto has a very distinctive flavor - not unpleasant but very different from store-bought pesto.

Comments

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

There can be a large number of ingredients for store pesto that don't normally go in homemade and the processing can be different to extend shelf life, like pasteurizing it. There are also lots of kinds of basil so maybe it wasn't genovese or whatever you're used to. Honestly it'd be a miracle if it did taste the same.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I think there was lime basil in the box this week, and if you put that in, it would really influence the flavor. Lime basil seems like it would be good for making Asian rather than Mediterranean dishes.

K.

[quility.livejournal.com]

If I told you the flowers were poisonous and offered to eat the pesto to protect you - would you believe me? ;)

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Too late, I'm afraid. Richard and I are both doomed.
Actually there might be a little bit left, if you'd like to taste it. If you come to the game party tonight, ask Richard for a taste.

[quility.livejournal.com]

I did enjoy trying it. Thanks! It was a distinct, rich flavor. I'm not sure if I'd repeat putting the flowers in but it certainly was very good. Thanks again for the taste! :)

Pesto

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Leaves only, no flowers.

B

Re: Pesto

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

hey, that means we invented a new recipe: floral pesto. It's actually pretty good once you get past your preconceptions about what pesto is supposed to taste like. We passed it around at the game party last night and everybody who tried it seemed to like it (or they were just too Minnesotan to say what they really thought). I think I'll make some more today.

[thorintatge.livejournal.com]

I liked it. You'll never guess what the taste heavily reminded me of, though.

Trix cereal. Especially the blue and purple bits. It took me a minute to realize that's what it tasted like, but the resemblance is definitely there. Maybe it's the lime flavor that does it.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Y'know... you're right! I think it's the flowery overtones, but I'm not sure why that should be. Is it possible that after all these years we have accidentally stumbled on the secret ingredient that makes Trix great?