Frugal Bites » basil http://frugalbites.com Eating Well on a Budget Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:19:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.7.41 Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil http://frugalbites.com/chickpea-and-tomato-salad-basil/ http://frugalbites.com/chickpea-and-tomato-salad-basil/#respond Tue, 09 Jul 2013 18:08:18 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1451 Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are an excellent source of cheap protein.  Pair them with basil from your garden and sweet grape tomatoes when in-season, and you’ve got a frugal salad that’s also really healthy.  I found these tomatoes at my ALDI store for just $.79 this week (view more recently posted Grocery Bargains).  You could also easily add rotini to this to make it a pasta salad. Frugal Tips:  To save money, buy dried chickpeas and soak overnight. {Read More}

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]]> chickpea and tomato salad with fresh basil

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are an excellent source of cheap protein.  Pair them with basil from your garden and sweet grape tomatoes when in-season, and you’ve got a frugal salad that’s also really healthy.  I found these tomatoes at my ALDI store for just $.79 this week (view more recently posted Grocery Bargains).  You could also easily add rotini to this to make it a pasta salad.

Frugal Tips:  To save money, buy dried chickpeas and soak overnight.  Beans can even be soaked and frozen for later.

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Chickpea and Tomato Salad
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3-4
 
A refreshing summer salad that’s rich in protein and packed with flavor
Ingredients
  • 1 carton of grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 25 basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Whisk together the vinegars, oils, honey and salt and pepper. Drizzle over the chickpeas, basil, and tomatoes. I put mine in a plastic container and give a good shake. Chill a few hours or overnight.

Thanks for the inspiration, Green Lite Bites!

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/chickpea-and-tomato-salad-basil/feed/ 0 Basic Homemade Pesto Recipe + How to Freeze and Enjoy All Year http://frugalbites.com/homemade-pesto-recipe-basil/ http://frugalbites.com/homemade-pesto-recipe-basil/#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:04:30 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=515 Homemade pesto is something I’ve been making a few years in a row now, and it’s an excellent way to use up the rest of the fresh basil in your garden before a hard frost.  Freeze what you don’t use in ice cube trays to enjoy in the middle of the winter. How to Use Your Homemade Pesto: As a pasta sauce Add a little homemade pesto to mayo for a sandwich spread Top salmon or chicken with pesto before {Read More}

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]]> homemade pesto recipe

basic homemade pestoHomemade pesto is something I’ve been making a few years in a row now, and it’s an excellent way to use up the rest of the fresh basil in your garden before a hard frost.  Freeze what you don’t use in ice cube trays to enjoy in the middle of the winter.

How to Use Your Homemade Pesto:

  • As a pasta sauce
  • Add a little homemade pesto to mayo for a sandwich spread
  • Top salmon or chicken with pesto before grilling
  • Add to mashed potatoes
  • As a baked potato topper
  • On homemade pizza as a sauce
  • In artisan breads
  • Make pesto butter as an appetizer spread

Frugal Tips:  Even though fresh Parmesan is somewhat expensive, it’s worth it.  A little bit goes a long way.  You may also experience sticker shock if you’re purchasing pine nuts for the first time.  If you have walnuts at home, they are a good substitute.  Some even prefer the taste of walnut pesto to pine nut pesto.

 

homemade-basil-pesto homemade-basil-pesto

Thanks to the Mommysavers Forum members for the inspiration behind this basil pesto recipe

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Basic Homemade Pesto Recipe
 
A great recipe to make with fresh basil from your garden before the hard frost
Ingredients
  • 1½ C. fresh basil leaves
  • ½ C. extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ C. pine nuts, toasted (or walnuts)
  • ⅓ C. grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Dash of salt
  • Pepper or Tabasco to taste
Instructions
  1. /2 c chopped fresh basil
  2. /3-1/2 c extra virgin olive oil(just eyeball how ya like it as you go)
  3. /4 c pine nuts,toasted (or you can sub walnuts)
  4. /3 c grated Parmesan cheese
  5. Tbs minced garlic
  6. /4 tsp chili powder
  7. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays, remove and place in a freezer bag until ready to use.

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