pesto

you can easily get vegetarian style parmesan, it isn't a big issue look it up o the internet, make substitutions and gerit dun yer neck as we say up north. Don't worry i'm not being mean, i am a fellow vegetarian, but i am good at independent research....try here or wack summit else in - http://bookhams.com/latest-news/vegetarian-society.html

Hi, I have to say something about the use of pesto source, the recipe showing it is Ok, (Im coming from Genova) less garlic it is better for my taste, thath depending of my abitude, what I want to say enough important is : after you prepared the pesto sauce it should be better to mix with two spoon of (QUAGLIATA) a type of very soft sour cheese, and when Pasta (trenette) is ready mix two spoon of cooking water in pesto , enough to let the pesto become as a cream. In our tradition ,trenette must be cooked with potatoes and green beans and all mixed with pesto (cream) sauce. Please no lemon at all. Ciao e buon appetito

My first time to make pesto, loved the receipe, kids loved it too, thanks Jamie another winning receipe!

canine teeth = evolutionary evidence that we are carnivorous<br /> <br /> quid pro quo

Where's the rest of it?? "... then I’ll give you some ideas on how best to use it, instead of just having it with pasta all the time. "

Fantastic! One thing I noticed is that even among pine nuts there are differences, though. The Korean pine nuts don't taste quite the same as the European ones.

Parmesan is by definition not vegetarian.

You can get a vegetarian parmesan substitiute - this is the one recommended by 'Delia'<br /> http://bookhams.com/welcome-to-bookhams-online-shop/43-njpc-not-just-a-pasta-cheese.html<br /> I've never used it to make pesto with - but it is very yummy!

How long will it keep for future use...??

When you see surgeons trying to open patients arteries you then relize the damage meal has on the body. Work in ITU for 24 hours and perhaps you may not eat so much meat

@ 25. Lin-Z: I get what you are trying to say, but having been vegan & vegetaria myself (for a good 10 years until I was in my 30s) I have to disagree with you here. My daughter is 15 and last year she decided she is a VEGETARIAN. but WOULD NOT, by any means, eat anything that has calf rennet or any part of a live animal in it...now, as far as I know, having grown up in South America with a huge Italian influence, non of the cheap *Parmegiano* in this country is the real thing...I'll try read the labels, see what I can do. Thanks Benny (15) I reckon sun dried tomatoes can add a little cick and maybe I ll leave out the cheese... <br /> I have to say, the vegetarian diet in times like these, is almost bankrupting me LOL.

OK, OK... you could get into a fight over what constitutes 'real' parma, or you could just substitute any hard cheese that does not contain animal rennet, and keep everyone happy, vegetarians included.

parmesan isn't veggie unless it's not real parmesan and it's as simple as that. You can get a parmesan substitute in the supermarket through the free from range. It's just not as nice as fresh cheese is. Personally I just use another cheese although it doesn't taste like 100% authentic pesto. <br /> <br /> Sacla organic basil and tomato pesto are both vegetarian and they are the only readily available supermarket ones I've found but it's much easier and cheaper to buy your own than try to track that down. <br /> <br /> As for deciding what is veggie. It's not a decision. Animal rennet is sourced from animals and causes the death of animals. Anyone who eats that isn't vegetarian. Simple as.

If you're buying your cheese in the EU and it carries the name 'Parmesan' or 'Parmigiano-Reggiano', then it is made to a controlled recipe and by law, it contains calf rennet. <br /> <br /> There is *no* Parmesan available for sale legally in the EU that is vegetarian.<br /> <br /> However, you can buy similar cheeses. My fussy kids can't tell the difference between an official Parmesan and 'Not Just a Pasta Cheese' (formerly Twineham Grange), which you'll find on-line easily enough. That cheese is made without animal rennet, and thus obtains the Vegetarian Society seal of approval.

Thanks for your recipe for pesto. I grow my own basil throughout the year, and this year have experimented with Cinnamon Basil plants. so I'm off to get my pine nuts etc to see what kind of pesto Cinnamon and Standard basil mixed creates ;-)<br />

@vegetarians... I completely agree with @Jon; humans were created to eat and animals were made to be eaten. What else are they gonna do? Sit around in a field being useless going "moo"? Vegetarians are just gratuitous picky eaters. I myself have a nut allergy, but if I was offered an opportunity to be able to eat nuts, then I would take it. Vegetarians, however, are offered delicious meat and are perfectly able to eat it, but turn it down on a stupid principal. I'm not saying you can't be a Vegetarian, but everyone is allowed and opinion so I'm just stating mine.

Remember people - 90% of all parmesan is NOT VEGETARIAN. Watch out, and make sure to read the label.

Jamie I will be introducing JAMIESHOMECOOKINGSKILLS to my special needs students this September 2011. Is there an alternative to pine nuts to make pesto? As we have some serious nut allergy students.

@vegetarians....Humans by default are suppose to eat everything so if you decide not to eat a group of foods, it is your choice so enough with the whining whenever you get an opportunity. If you think that something does not suit your choice or pallet just leave it, nobody is forcing you to eat anything you do not want. So if you believe parmesan is not veggie do not eat it. All of the vegetarians I know consider different foods as veggie or non veggie as it suits their "pallet" so the rest of the world cannot really understand what you think is veggie and what not, so give us a break!! Thank you Jammie for exposing another simple but great recipe.

NO, pesto is NOT vegetarian, because parmesan cheese has calf rennet in it. You CAN get veggie parmesan at Sainsburys (ironically)!!<br /> <br />

PARMESAN IS NOT VEGETARIAN. <br /> <br /> Lin-Z, no, you don't know what you're talking about.<br /> <br /> It is a criminal offense for a restaurant to claim something is vegetarian when it has parmesan in it... this is not on. I can now look forward to turning up at a friends house to be presented with a beautiful meal that is allegedly vegetarian, according to Jamie, but is actually full of meat. Nice one.

parmesan is not veggie. by definition parmesan is non-veggie stuff.

I love this one too, and I love Jamie's passion for good, real, not-too-poncy food. I also use fresh coriander (cilantro) in Jamie's recipe.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! SO SIMPLE AND FULL OF FLAVOR.<br /> CHEERS ALL THE WAY FROM OZ!

Jamie<br /> Hi Jamie<br /> When are you coming to South Africa?<br /> We have a rainbow nation here, with all different foods and cultures. <br /> We have great weather , beautiful beaches , wine routes to follow and food and more food ...<br /> <br /> Think about it some time

yo, i made this pesto but used cashews,a clove of garlic, a green chili and a couple of sundried tomatoes and left out the cheese all together. ok so it turned out to not be this recipe but i think as long as pesto has nuts garlic basil and some olive oil it always works! try it you won't be disappointed :)

Goo, tasty and simple. I added also fresh nettles into it to make it more healthy and also because I love nettles. Thank you Jamie

I sometimes substitute parsley for the basil and always use toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts which are far too expensive. It always seems to be great and it is good for you too!!!!!

@Lin-Z- Parmesan is not vegetarian. It is true that most modern cheese is made without calf rennet (at least in the UK) but there are strict rules about the way parmesan is made and if it is not made with calf rennet it cannot be called parmesan. For this recipee to really be vegetarian it should say 'Parmesan style cheese' or just 'medium fat hard cheese' but that does not sound as appealling.

I'm a big fan of pesto and this year I have finally planted enough basil to do my own. Love this simple recipe and the idea to add a little lemon is just delicious (also seemed to give the pesto a richer green colour). Thank you!

This is a pretty interesting thing I tried out at home once!<br /> I usually make omlettes like once or twice a week with almost the same toppings all the time; tomatoes, basil,walnuts and things like that! <br /> But then I thought, why not make the pesto sauce and probably add a few stir fried mushrooms and make an omlette filling out of it?!.<br /> And did it turn out awesome or what!<br /> Jamie, Thanks a lot mate!. :D:D <br /> Love from India!.

@tony and @verr look up rennet production and you'll find almost all cheese produced no longer uses animal derived rennet. kosher cheese definitely does not use it period. i am a chef and vegetarian as well-all it takes is reading a label and knowing the topic yourself if you live that way (just take 5 minutes or less to research!). put more focus into learning about it rather than cruising the net whining about it! your attempts at "slamming" me aren't going to work since i actually do know what i'm talking about. ignorance may be bliss, but when it's affecting you, it's annoying to others!

@Lin-Z<br /> <br /> Maybe you would like some Veggie Parmesan with your words there mate. It is attitudes like yours with a lack of knowledge that makes it quite difficult to eat veggie.<br /> <br /> The amount of blank looks we get when we ask about Parmesan and animal rennett is a joke. Also asking about what else gets fried in with veggies produces the same blank look.<br /> <br /> Of note is that Jamie's restaurants use non veggie paremsan in almost all their meals. However when we attended they could make it without.

@Lin-Z - Many cheeses are NOT vegetarian as they use animal rennet in their making. Hard cheeses such as Parmesan more often than not fit into that category. So, before slamming a vegetarian for not knowing what they're talking about, you should learn about the subject first.<br /> <br /> Saying that, it is possible to buy vegetarian Parmesan now, you just have to check the labels.

chicken pesto pizza is AMAZING! it's how i was first introduced to pesto!<br /> <br /> ~ flatbread or pita (thin crust, and/or par baked works best)<br /> ~ 1-2 sliced, cooked and seasoned chicken breasts depending on size of pizza (marinating in an oil based italian, caesar or greek dressing is best!...i tend to do this for bbq-ing chicken breasts and use the leftovers for this pizza.)<br /> ~ 8-10 sliced cremini or 1/2 portabella mushrooms (white are fine as well; these just enhance flavor)<br /> ~ 1/4 thinly sliced red onion<br /> ~ provolone cheese (personal preference...i love cheesy pizza)<br /> <br /> pesto and chicken on the bottom, followed by the cheese then veggies on the top. bake until bubbly and enjoy!<br /> <br />

@Frooby<br /> <br /> PESTO IS INDEED VEGETARIAN. Vegetarians will consume any and all dairy, sometimes even eggs and; dairy is acceptable as dairy production does not hurt a cow or require it to be killed (not milking a cow that does not have a calf to feed is harmful to the animal therefore again, dairy production is acceptable in a vegetarian lifestyle). If you do not consume dairy products than you are VEGAN, which is a lifestyle that zero animal or fish products of any kind are consumed or used in any way (including standard wheat pasta as eggs are used). The two are completely different. If you are not aware of what kind of lifestyle you yourself lead, then you shouldn't be making statements of that nature.<br /> <br /> Unless you can find a tofu or soy cheese that is an imitation to parmesan or romano cheese, you are out of luck. If you adhere to the vegan lifestyle that strictly, then you'll have to omit the cheese portion of pesto and thus, not have the same flavor.

I make pesto in large quantities when my basil is fresh in the garden. I portion it out into ziplock bags, partially close them, lay on flat surface, squeeze out the air and complete the seal. Lay flat on a tray and freeze for easy freezer storage. Lasts for several months, longer if double wrapped for better protection.

Chicken Cheese and Pesto Sandwiches are AWESOME!!!!

This recipe says vegetarian at the top, however, parmasan is not suitable for vegetarians. This hard cheese, along with pecorino cheese, is found in almost all pestos making it unsuitable for vegetarians. Is there any other cheese i could use to get a similar flavor or will i have to make without? Thanks

I have just made and tasted my very first pesto! Yummy!! Haven't had it before as most contain cashew nuts which I'm allergic to. Will definately be making it again! Thanks Jamie :)

Please Jamie, no lemon juice in pesto.! all the rest is absolutely correct
Renzo from Genoa (the land of pesto)

This is GREAT!
I made whit my own pasta recipe, and taste wonderful !

Thanks Jamie!

I made this last night, so easy and tasty.

thanks for recipe

Sid

I never made a pesto recipe, but I love pesto.
I am going to try this one but I need to know for how long I can store it.
Love your shows and recipies.

I have a couple of jars of pesto in my store cupboard. Both are labeled 'classic basil pesto' and one blurbs on, in addition, about an 'authentic Italian experience'. Both are made with sunflower oil, cashew nuts, and potato. What do you think of such claims, Jamie?

Thanks for the idea of using rocket as I can't stand basil

sounds delicious. i'm gonna try it for dinner tomorrow, with pasta.
btw anyone knows the best way to store it if i have leftovers, and how long will it be good for? thanks guys

Tried it , bloomin' lovely esp the pestel & mortar does bring out the taste better. Mmm!!

Well I had a handed down recipe from an old friend which was lovely but I lost it and this looks like a very good one. The thing with the cheese....my recipe says dont freeze...it freezes great. Also 1/2 pecorino instead of just parmesan ! Thanks.

This is the best bloody pesto ever! Simple, quick and delicious!
Used to use a food processor to make pesto but I won't be anymore after you mentioned using a mortar and pestle. It tastes so much better and fresher. Loved the squeeze of lemon too!

Hopefully this will save my bacon or should I say my tomato plants companion plants, have got basil by the bucket load but next weekend will have buckets of pesto, much easier to give away..............many thanks

I would agree with Maureen Fox above. Please when are you going to write a book for those of us who live on our own? It is very difficult to keep reducing the quantities for just one person. By the way cooked your rabbit with taragon dumplings for a dinner party - FANTASTIC.

When your wife says i want pasta with pesto and you dont have any your kinda stuffed, Unless you suddenly realize you have all the ingrediants in the fridge and larder..."happy days" your recipe has now guarenteed me a good night ; )

I Love Pesto, especially with Bread<3!!

This is such a good recipe. Thanks!
Although I altered it quite a bit, instead of extra virgin olive oil I added mild olive oil, and instead of pine nuts I added a small teaspoon of ground almonds (left from a korma recipe). Added garlic paste instead of fresh garlic and a pinch of mixed herbs.
I can't believe it still came out so heavenly!
Really quick and easy to make!

I love pesto, spesh with chicken and pasta but you should try red pepper pesto with mince, as if makin spag bol, really nice. I use the bought stuff at mo but will try making this recipe, do you have one for red?

well you're all wrong... cheese DOES freeze well so ner!

i disagree with ,cheese doesnt freeze well'. thats how most italians keep their parmesan fresh, by keeping big blocks of it in the freezer and grating it as you need it

I thought this was average at best.

I think it's OK to freeze pesto if you leave the cheese out and instead add it in when you defrost. Apparantly cheese doesn't freeze well!

This recipe is very nice. I like to enjoy it with fresh green salad and fish. Thank you very much.

Just the ticket italian recipes,I bought the book here in Sweden.My daughter saw your show here in Sweden and you said that one of your dishes were a killer,she looked at me and said "will it kill you daddy"

Jamie, When are you going to bring out a cookbook for single people as it is hard to judge reducing recipes for four or more. Quite a lot of us live alone.

Molho Pesto - Italiano.

Wow your pesto recipe is great and my hubby and kids love it too. Am a great fan of yours and love to watch your cookery programmes. Keep up the good work x

Nice style and good attitude, keep it going
Enjoyed your method of testing as you go - heavenly stuff!

What up Jamie,
Right on for for posting this pesto recipe , its the first pesto i made from scratch and it does the trick for my pasta.Peace

Awsome!could i try any other nut as i don't really get good quality pine nuts where I live?
thanx

Always great food!!

an absolutely fabulous recipe. pesto is becoming an absolutely delectable dish that i am sure the royal family will be having in the very near future. cheers jamie for your
superb cookery skills fit for kings. hope the thing with the schools hasn't killed you.

lovely! and simple too but could i substitute any other nut as i don't really get good quality pine nuts where I live?
thanks

really love pesto! but it's hard 2 get fresh basil here in malaysia..can i use dry basil instead? will the taste be the same?

fantastic.i like it with almonds too

Hi Jamie,
Have you ever made pesto using neither basil or rocket? There was a program recently shown on Scottish TV where they used what I can only call jaggy nettles. Apparently it was very tasty and quite sweet.
Gary.

Good recipe - like all of them. Easy to follow, great tips. THanks

Hi Jaime I'd like to second the question of how long it will keep for. Sound.

lik to lern more recipes for your .thies recipese weryi simpal i love jamies recipes

YOUR SHIT

Thank you so much for introducing me to this recipe! I now use it all the time with pasta the kids love it! I've also tried adding mint and rocket, its soo yummy. I'm also going to try adding chopped tomato. Do you think its a good idea? Sincerely, Reni

Hey For more flavour, do you think I can add to the Pesto some coriander, pepper and mint? I'll try it anyway, just wanted your opinion! Thanks Sérgio

thank u for alle ur fantastic foodrec. I love you.
Lots of love form Oslo,Norway.

Hey Jamie I love this pesto on lamb. A very good recipe!!! Australia

Does anyone know how long this can be stored for?

Great Recipe
Would you tell me is the Pesto recipe the same as the Jamie Oliver Pesto you can buy in the stores.

Very nice recipe, gave mine an extra zing by adding a small green chilli, really worked well. Many thanks :)

I make pesto every year, but this is the first time I've added lemon. Brilliant. Thanks for the tip. Viv in Maine, USA

absolutly great tried it for a recipe of pesto pasta with potatos, parmazan and pecorino on top to finish it off.. instead of the normal basil try thai basil it gives the pesto somewhat of a lemony taste without the twang

Hi Jamie! This pesto is amazing! It saved me in the kitchen of my mother-in law! Thanks a lot!!
Janaina, Brazil.

your Pesto's lovely!
tried it with almonds instead of pine nuts. DELISH

-from Malaysia!

Fabulous Taste and really easy to make,
Thanx Jamie.
PS: I'm from South Africa

Hi Jamie
My husband and i are hooked on pesto and this recipe is a sure winner.
Thank you, you're fab.
Mumtha, London

thanks for the pesto recipe its excsllent,we want see your cooking on international tv.

Hi Jamie,
i have been making the same pesto recipe for a few years now and was just looking up your website and came across this and thank god for that ha!keep up the good work, kiwi jamie

Jamie

You are the best chef ever. Thanks for showing so much interest in what we and our children eat, would love to see more childrens receipes.

niamh, Dublin Ireland

Im a cook & love good food & ingredients. I watch your show all the time:)
I love making pesto & this is the BEST pesto recipe Ive made!
Thankyou Jamie, you adorable chef!
cheers from the land down under:)
Ms Cath xx

I was not sure that the non-precise measurements would work... a handful of this and lemon to taste etc. But the result was a hit with the family. Sometimes we can be too precise with recipe measurements. Well done J

Hi Jamie, i love the taste of Pesto from ur recipe. i love ur garden too!!!!!
I dream i will have that kind of garden like ur house.
Thanks Jemie, im Ninie from Bali!!!!!!!

Thank you Jamie for this recipe I am from Lebanon and I love you go

As a half-italian half-brazilian guy, I say this pesto recipe is amazing. Thank you Jamie for being the chef you are. Congratulations from Brasil.

Thanks jamie, my son after terrible accident coma for awhile is now eating like he used to because i try diffrent recipies from your books and website, we love to cook your are star,,,thanks

I wanted to make a menue with peso. but just use the prepared stff you buy at the market wasn't an option for me!
so thanks for this recipe!

I just love Jamie's passion for food, it makes me passioned about it to.

I love to watch the new shows on the telly! their great!