Basil: Pesto didn't go well. What else can I make?

[Miljah]

Just tried making pesto but I'm not very happy with the results. I will eat it, probably on toast, but I'm not sure I will inflict an entire meal's worth of it on pasta for the family! .

What else can I make with basil?

What happened? I was amazed at how easy it was to make.
However, you could also make a tomato sauce for pasta

I have a few basil plants so I’ve got lots of recipes to use it up!
Garlic bread www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2496/garlic-and-basil-ciabatta
Jamie’s pasta sauce www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes/classic-tomato-spaghetti/
Thai chicken realfood.tesco.com/recipes/thai-chicken-and-basil-sizzle.html
Quiche www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/6295/roasted-tomato-basil-and-parmesan-quiche

Is it the pine nuts in pesto that can make it taste a bit dodgy? Did you roast them first?

Pesto has always been a big fat fail for me. Tried loads of times and it's absolutely vile. It's a mystery as to why!

cabrese with crusty bread.
Put it on pizza
use it to make tomato and basil soup (for the freezer if you don't fancy it straight way)

I make a deep lasagne and often use thickly sliced tomatoes and basil leaves as one of the layers: only works if you do a long bake though as it doesn't cook down if you are only cooking it to warm through.

Just rip it up and throw on anything that could possibly go with basil.

Bruschetta (really easy - rub garlic on ciabatta and top with a a mixture of chopped fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper)

Mozzarella and basil salad

Prawn, basil and lemon risotto

Garlic and basil stuffed chicken (like a Kiev)

Tomato and basil soup

Sprinkled over homemade margarita pizzas

Assuming you used basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan and olive oil, what proportions?

I find lots of cheese, plus plenty of seasoning and lemon juice really lifts a homemade pesto.

How can you muck up pesto? it's the easiest thing in the world to make.

2 cups of basil leaves
3 cloves of garlic
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp pine nuts
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/4cup + 2tbsp of olive oil slowly fed into the processor whilst its whizzing

Has become a family favourite in our house. DS shoves it in like there's no tomorrow. It is distinctly different from the jarred crap.

You can make a basil salad dressing, just blend basil with oil, garlic, salt, pepper. And a bit of lemon juice if you fancy. Very nice with grilled veg based salads.

Don’t make it in a food processor, makes it taste soapy.

I made some hm mayo with pure olive oil once that was foul.

Green goddess dressing is very nice and makes any salad taste better.

1cup sour cream or creme fraiche
2-3 spring onion (green tips only)
Handful basil
1-2 tbsps mayonnaise
Pinch salt

Whizz in a blender/chopper until smooth and pale green.