I am the first to admit, I'm a pesto snob. I always make my ownpesto from fresh basil and pine nuts. Until this week. I saw this
beautiful fresh looking jar of Member's Mark Pesto at Sam's Club
and thought, "Hey, how bad could it be? Look how green it is."
I cooked a pound of thin spaghetti in well salted water, drained, added1/2 cup of pesto, 1/2 cup of low fat ricotta and a little of the cooking
water to mix. (taste for salt) The end result?
Yum. Yum. Incredibly simple, too. Add some sauteed vegetables
and you've got a wonderful dinner. And since this post is so very
green, I thought you might like to see how well my Boston fern is
doing this summer. It's so happy in the perfectly shady spot and is
also the cozy home to a lovely lady spider.
That sounds so delicious! I have been living in military barracks for the last few months and do not have access to a kitchen. But I will be sure to give this a shot as soon as I get my hands on a stove again. :)
ReplyDeletePlant is pretty too!
Love the pesto...and I can be a bit of a pest-snob too...what about store bought hummus...what do they use to brighten and preserve those chick-peas? That can't be good. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAw. That furn is so beautiful!! It's definitely thriving, that's for sure :D
ReplyDeleteThat recipe sounds delicious. I don't think I have even tried pesto before...There's a first time for everything, right?! Lol
Oh, my. This is almost as bad as reading the Friday Photo Shootout posts for this week (Outdoor food). It's hard to concentrate when my mouth is watering. I do love pasta - and pesto.
ReplyDeleteAdore Basil Pesto! We had it last night with chicken, corn, onion jam and mozzarella in puff pastry! Decadence!
ReplyDeleteThe fern's lovely; obviously loves its possie.
willow, i haven't eaten yet and it's sort of past dinner time here . . . but nobody's said anything yet . . . hmmmmm pesto, hummus, sundried tomatoes, anything scrunched up and sevred with pasta is really very alright by me !!! i love boston ferns. i have left them alone for years now after they decided that they needed a little space!!!! have a lovely evening at the manor. steven
ReplyDeleteYumm! I haven't made pesto yet this summer as I overdid it last year and the freezer still has lots of little half pint jars full of the green stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnd oddly enough, we just had pesto pasta for supper too -- with the addition of roasted tomatoes and onions -- and a little smoked sausage and a few shrimp 'for added flavor,' as my husband said.
If I was there I would eat it and thank you. I asked Patty if she would make it and she said probably not. I guess it is because she cannot taste anything or smell since she had breast cancer twice and the radiation treatments did a number on her taste and smell. Anyway, it does look good but I will just have to imagine how it tastes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely simple summer meal. The fern is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever been disappointed with anything Member's Mark! This looks very yummy!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a wonderful summer weather-wise for ferns!
Well, you know I LOVE pesto and I posted about my red creation ....so good. Also have lemon basil, Thai basil, lime and green.....and sometimes substitute walnuts.....can't wait to start concocting some stuff. YUM - I do love it when you post your recipes!
ReplyDeletewe've tried several member's mark items lately and been pleased with all of them.
ReplyDeleteyour pasta dish looks wonderful and adding the veggies makes it very healthy too.
The FERN is absolutely beautiful!!! And the dish looks fabulous! As always, you inspire.
ReplyDeleteok i need a hiatus from food posts...with T out of town I am fending for myself...PBJ anyone?
ReplyDeleteYour fern is obviously very happy. The ones at the country house are the only things that don't look like they are about to expire.
ReplyDeleteAnd quit teasing me with food!
Regarding your fern - I'd say we probably have over 2000 (or more) of them on our property. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteAbout Pesto. Johnny Pesto was a good actor, especially in the westerns. Or maybe that was Johnny Ringo.
Oddly enough, I used "Kirkland" pesto tonight (I really like it). Anyway, I combined the pesto w/Safeway's "Stuffed Rigatoni" (artichoke, feta, cheese I believe). Then w/Dr Weil's broccoli - individual heads w/salt, pepper, 2-3 garlic cloves chopped, 2 Tblsp Olive Oil, 1/2 cup water - exactly 5 minutes, and you're set!
ReplyDeleteStill think about those spider photos Willow - they were great!
Lovely! Thanks for the dinner suggestion =-)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a treat to visit your blog, Willow. Of all the blogs I visit, it is Life at Willow Manor that brings a grin, a sense of wonder and inspiration ...time and again.
By the way, I hope you'll post an update sometime on how your book is coming along.
That pasta sounds wonderful and the picture looked like something out of a magazine! Your fern is so pretty, and obviously healthy. Must be a good spider.
ReplyDeleteIt does look yummy. Do you toast the pine nuts before you use them in the pesto you make?
ReplyDeletePlease, I am begging you. Do not post pasta or carbo posts again for the sake of my diet! Next you know you'll be torturing me with your home-baked bread. I know your kind Willow! I want some!
ReplyDeleteYour fern looks loved and happy. Think fern not spaghetti...
xx
Well, I guess I'm a pesto snob, too. But I have to make it--the basil's growing right outside the door!! Anyway, pasta sounds yummy, and the fern looks happy, happy, happy. Isn't it wonderful when "indoor" plants discover they can love the outdoors?
ReplyDeletehow difficult to fathom anything from a can or jar, not fresh....yet you claim it is good???? hmmmm....something to consider!
ReplyDeleteLook at that fern going all "wheeeeee" in its shady spot!
ReplyDeleteWhat are they using to keep the pesto bright green? (it normally oxydates to a darker green)
How lovely! Pesto is fantastic stuff, not that I could be as devoted as you, and make it myself, tho! Beautiful fern..
ReplyDeletePesto! :-)))
ReplyDeleteI am toast. ;-)
(Well, I have rice-stuffed tomatoes in the oven, thank goodness.)
Fantastic! What a simple meal. And that fern is pretty fantastic as well!
ReplyDeleteThat is just sheer moth-watering pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm a pesto snob, but I like it to taste a certain way. I don't see the point of eating something if it's not just so. I also like to make things myself because then I know exactly what's in them and also that they will be how I like them. I'm not averse to the odd freshly made deli counter sauce though. Looks like you got a good one.
ReplyDeleteThe fern is fabulous.
Cynthia and Spacedlaw, it is preserved with calcium ascorbate, better known as a natural form of vitamin C. It’s actually good for you! Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteThe fern is fabulous and I'm sure the lady spider is quite happy to call it home.
ReplyDeleteMaker's Mark Pesto, hmmm.
That recipe sounds so good. I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've tagged you for the Honest Scrap award. I love reading your blog and the variety of topics you cover!
The pesto does look fresh and green
ReplyDeletejust right for thin pasta and
vegetables. Lush fern.
I am so happy to hear this! Hubbie and I like to have pesto here and there (the kiddos are NOT fond of it) so I make it RARELY...I would love to have this on the shelf!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a pesto snob, so I'm skeptical that anything really great could come out of a jar. But maybe I'll have to try it sometime. Not right now - the basil is growing so fast we can't make enough pesto, but maybe later in the fall.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to keep an open mind!
A perfectly wonderful post with fantastic photos - and so happy to find a fellow spider lover.
ReplyDeletexo S & les Gang
thanks for the recommendation on the pesto..I just may try it on my next visit to Sam's.
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteOh yum ..
ReplyDeleteHello Willow,
ReplyDeleteI have never made pesto, always buy it but maybe I should try my own. I certainly love fresh basil and toasted pinenuts!
Great review of Pesto and easy delicious recipe. Also liked your candid views on Frost Nixon...I have such a strong dislike for the real Nixon that I have avoided this movie but maybe I will reconsider.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried making pesto with rocket instead of basil - same other ingredients. I make it sometimes and it is just as delicious.
ReplyDeleteWeaver, I actually had to look up "rocket" to see what you were talking about! We call it arugula, but rocket is much more fun. To answer your question, no, I've never made pesto from it. I must give it a try. Since I don't grow my own basil, arugula would be much more economical.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you about pesto...but have never tried it over a Boston fern and a lady spider....grinning. The meal you have prepared looks delish Willow...
ReplyDeleteoh, dear, can't stay long as i'm headed out to pick up several jars of that pesto - yumyum! and then, there's that to-die-for-gorgeous-lush fern!!!!!!! beautiful!!! love dropping over to your fab place, girl!
ReplyDeletehoping you have enough -
peace
jenean
my mouth is watering saw frost nixon this summer on DVD and enjoyed muchly
ReplyDeleteThat is a great, simple recipe, but my dinner for tonight is even simpler..
ReplyDeleteHaving a small appetite, I toted a doggie bag, filled with a very good portion of leftover eggplant parmigiana and pasta, home from the restaurant last night..even some garlic bread..can't wait to zap it all..yum..
nice new header as well...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian. I get easily bored with the headers and like to change them often. But, I guess you've already noticed that, heehee.
ReplyDeleteLove the new header! And your fern is outstanding!
ReplyDeletebeen on a pesto making binge myself! just stocked up on more pine nuts at gallucci's this morning for when it's time to harvest the next batch of basil!
ReplyDeleteI too am a complete pesto snob!
Im going to be hunting that Pesto at Sam's.The Fern is gorgeous and I don't care that I'm comment 52, I came for a visit! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, looks wonderful! I'm a pesto snob too - why buy when it's that easy to make? Okay, that easy for my sister to make and give me some.
ReplyDeleteCheers. Here's to really good meals. And summer.
Jen
What a lovely spot this beautiful fern in living at! And I just love pesto too! :-)
ReplyDeleteWillow, thank you so much for the congratulations!
Oh, I'm the same with pesto--fresh is sooo good. This DOES look very green, though--I don't know if we have that brand locally--I'm going to be on a mission to find out, though! Your pesto dinner sounds yummy. I made a mango salsa salmon last night that was mighty tasty, but I may have to have a go here...
ReplyDeletePESTO MON AMOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it too!Fresh pesto are the best!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a source of sadness to me that I am the ONLY PERSON in my family who likes pesto. Every now and then I make up a batch and then eat it for three meals in a row!
ReplyDeleteYour fern is so refreshing to look at!
I love green! Why don't you come for a visit? You can have the run of my whole kitchen. I could use a good meal. No time to cook.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and photos.
Sams, eh?