to ask if a small grinder (for pine nuts - to make pesto) actually exists

[SallyJustSally]

Doesn't seem unreasonable to me, but can't actually find such a thing.

We use a Bamix, mostly for fluffy Angel Delight it makes a lovely pesto. The grinder/mill bit is an extra to the blender stick, but even with the two parts it's still a fairly compact item.

We have a cuisine the DLC 1SS for that very thing. Perfect!! And not that expensive.

*Cuisinart (bloody autocorrect!)

Thanks OP - I've got a pack of basil lurking in the fridge that I forgot why I'd bought - I think I was supposed to buy another herb and got the wrong one.

I was about to just chop it up and put it in the freezer, but now I am going to make pesto for the first time ever, using my Bamix blender, which really is brilliant.

So has anyone got any great pesto recipes or tips? I normally just buy it and freeze leftovers in icecube trays.

I have basil, parmesan, oil, I think I have some pinenuts, but also have other nuts too - you can make walnut pesto can't you?

I'm not going to buy a load of other stuff to save wasting 39 pence worth of basil - top tip for herbs if you don't grow them - Aldi sell small packets for something like 39 pence each so much cheaper than other places or buying the plants, especially if you don't use loads.

I've got this one .Fine for herbs and spices and probably pine nuts.

Lazy person tip;

Don't chop herbs up before freezing them. Wait until they've frozen solid and then just scrunch the bag up.

Works just as well for 10% of the effort.

we use a coffee grinder - small specifically for this. cant use the coffee grinder because of the smell transferring.

I used my coffee grinder and put the garlic in too. Grinder went all smoky then died. That was an expensive pesto; especially as my little DS wouldn't eat, saying he preferred the jar one. I only made it for him.

I just make mega batches of pesto at a time in a regular food processor and then freeze it in food bags in portions. Does the freezer not ruin it? Because this would change my life. DD loves, "alien pasta" and I don't feel guilty when it's homemade. We also have a massive farm near us that would give me tons of basil.

And if people grow basil, how do you stop it bolting?

I do that with spinach saucy but had never though of doing it with herbs - thanks.

I gave up trying to grow basil from seed.

We buy a pot from wherever has it cheapest, supermarket or garden centre, and eek it out on the windowsill. When it gets to the cat's pee stage it goes in the bin and we start again... I have tried giving it a major hair cut but at about £2 a pot that lasts for months I tend towards profligacy (really unusual for me).

I do grow a mini basil though, like cress and mustard but takes a bit longer. Minette grows into a perfect ball of green basil and Sweep is a purple version. They take 2 months in a pot and are far easier to control than the normal size.

I use one of these, best kitchen appliance I've ever bought: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010PV7ZLA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/280-0799029-8212235?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=0REQYWE9PVAQVGTV293P&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_i=B0007R8OKY

I'd also recommend a coffee grinder.

I use the mini Kenwood chopper, it is really cheap compared to some of those.

We also have a couple of coffee grinders, one for spices one for everything else. What is it with cinnamon? Smell of that lingers for months, even after the bread treatment!