Mom's Pesto

This is my mother's recipe for pesto. In order to make my mother's recipe, the first step is VERY important! :)

• Ready In: 5 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  cups fresh basil leaves, fresh picked, packed
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts
• 1⁄2 cup  shredded parmesan cheese (not the stuff in a green can)
• 2 -6  garlic cloves
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup  virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Grow 4-5 large basil plants so you can make this all summer long. Purple basil makes the spiciest pesto (my Dad's favorite).
2. Put basil, nuts, cheese and garlic in a food processor.
3. Turn it on and drizzle in enough olive oil to reach the desired consistency - thick for spreading on bread or thin for tossing with cooked vegetables or pasta.
4. NOTE: Do not use dried basil. This recipe can be frozen (in ice cube trays or 1/2 - 1 cup portions) for up to 6 months, but do not add the cheese until you are ready to eat or the sauce will fall apart.