Homemade Pesto

I have always loved pesto and when a friend of mine told me how to make it about 7 years ago, my whole whole opened up :) This great on: any so so sandwich to make it amazing, any good pasta to make it delish, or like my newest son eats it- scooped out of a spoon!


Homemade Pesto Recipe

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed

1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese (or Parmesan)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts

3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 handfuls of Spinach leaves if you want


Put all ingredients in the blender or food processer and blend until creamy. If you plan on freezing it, didn't put the cheese in until after you defrost it.

K's Stroganoff

So, since I didn't post a recipe last week... I'm going to do 2 this week! The 1st one is going to be a Stroganoff type pasta dish I made last week and my family loved. Now, I'm a look in the fridge and toss it in kinda cook so beware... Also, I don't measure unless I'm baking so I'll do my best!
 

K's Stroganoff 
*1 lb Fusilli (corkscrew-like pasta)  
*1 lb ground beef (or whatever you want) 
*1 tsp cayenne pepper  
*½ yellow onion minced  
*2 TB minced garlic  
*2 TB soy sauce  
*2 zucchinis (chopped small)  
*½ can stewed tomatoes  
*3 TB butter  
*½ cup flour  
*1 TB garlic powder  
*1 cup sour cream  
*½ cup Parmesan cheese  
*½ cup milk  
*½ cup pepper  
*½ jack cheese shredded  
*1 cup pasta water  
*pepper and salt 
Pasta: Boil a pot of water and add some salt for the pasta. Cook the past 1 minute under the suggested time and put aside (don’t forget to save some water).  
Meat: Sautee onion and then add the ground meat, cayenne pepper, soy sauce, & minced garlic. Cook until browned, add zucchini. Let them cook a bit and then add tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes and take out of pan. 
Sauce: Use the same pan to melt the butter over medium heat (don’t let it burn). Add some flour to it and whisk until thick, then add some milk and whisk again. Add garlic powder and ½ the Parmesan- whisk. Add ½ cup pasta water whisk and add flour if it’s too thin. Add all the Parmesan and whisk in. Add Sour Cream & Jack Cheese. Put the pasta in the sauce and mix well then add the meat and veggies. Salt and pepper to taste.