A new favorite

Last week our favorite vendor at the Farmer's Market was selling big beautiful bunches of basil for a dollar.  I had to buy some and make some pesto sauce :p  It is one of my favorites and has also become a favorite for the boys--S thinks we should have some at every meal now ;-)

Yesterday's trip to the Farmer's Market provided the veggies for a pesto-based dinner:

Pesto:

In blender/food processor, pulse two tightly packed cups of basil, a large clove of garlic, a half cup of walnuts (I prefer the taste to pine nuts), and a half cup of olive oil.  Then stir in a half cup of Parmesan and add lemon juice to taste.  If its too thick, add in a little extra olive oil.

Veggies:

Saute together 2 cups cubed summer squash (yellow), half a cup of fresh green beans (cut into one to two inch pieces, half a cup of thinly sliced carrots, and a tablespoon of Italian herbs.  Cook until tender but firm.  After heat is off, toss in a half cup of halved cherry tomatoes

Toss veggies and half a box of cooked tri-color rotini with half the pesto sauce.  Add more pesto if the pasta isn't coated enough and then enjoy the rest of the pesto the next day on sandwiches ;-)

My kids like to sprinkle a little more Parmesan on top before they eat :)