Insalata Caprese with Fresh Basil Pesto Topping

Basil is wonderfully fragrant and so flavorful.  Last year I carefully planted basil in patio containers.  Critters carefully ate almost all of the plants.  This year my basil plant was purchased at the nearby Davidson Farmer's Market the day before Easter.  It was carefully planted...but this time the pot was placed on a small patio table instead of on the ground.  It has been yielding beautiful, perfect green leaves right from the start.  

One of my favorite uses for basil is pesto.  There are so many recipes from which to choose.  After years of trying a virtual plethora of recipes, I've got a winner.  And it really isn't a recipe at all.  It's more of an old fashioned 'handful of this and pinch of that' recipe.  At my house pesto is eaten on bread, pasta and Caprese salad. Basil has so many uses, and so does pesto! 

Fresh Basil Pesto

A large handful of fresh basil leaves (about 1 cup packed) washed and patted dry with a paper towel

A few sprigs of parsely (about 1/4 cup) washed and patted dry with a paper towel

Fresh minced garlic to taste (1/2 to 2 cloves as your preference dictates)

A small handful of pine nuts (about 1/4 cup), toasted if desired
1/3 to 1/2 cup freshly grated Reggiano Parmesano cheese 

Extra virgin olive oil 

Place all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor or mini food processor and pulse until pine nuts are chopped.  Add olive oil in small amounts and pulse until you reach desired consistency.  Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.  The addition of parsley helps the pesto keep a beautiful green color and fresh taste.

For the Caprese salad slice a ripe tomato, layer or top with fresh mozzarella slices and fresh basil leaves.  Drizzle with aged Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Top with a spoonful of pesto and enjoy!

The Do It Yourself Project or How to Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Dining Room-Before

March brings thoughts of Spring and cleaning.  This year I took Spring cleaning to the extreme.  After living in my home for five years and  recently refinancing, it was time for a face lift.  My house was move-in condition when I bought it. Not my color choices, but not bad enough to change back then.

One Sunday morning while eating breakfast I decided the wallpaper had to go.  It was shades of green, beige, burgundy and just plain ugly.  I began the process by tearing a piece in a spot that would not be missed by anyone walking through my front door.  No turning back now!  Each night I would come home from work and tear more paper.  It was a solitary project. Just me. Read--no help. What was I thinking?!  I have nine foot ceilings, 36" cupboards and I'm not much over five feet tall!  Neighbors to the rescue with a taller ladder.  

It is now nearly mid-May and I'm working hard to complete my painting mission.  The kitchen and dining room are finished and the result is a wonderful transformation.  So much so, I started on the living room. Read-not in the original plan, there are vaulted ceilings, but I can't stop in the middle of the room! My deadline for completion is fast approaching. Memorial Day is looming and I have vowed to have the painting finished. 

The first weekend in June will bring friends from Ohio, Virginia and maybe Florida for a girls get-together.  My friend Sherry says they are coming to see me, not my house.  At least it will look fresh and clean.  Nothing like having company to get everything spruced up.  I just bit off more than I can chew. Speaking of chewing--that reminds me, I have a menu to plan for an entire weekend. Now that is a project I will enjoy.

Dining Room - After