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It seems I’m always writing about how much I love summer, but it’s because it’s such a fabulous season for so many reason. I love when tomatoes are in season because I can make Stuffed Tomatoes. I love that we can grill – my husband’s – Big Daddy’s Ribs. And I love BASIL! I celebrate the return of my basil plant in the spring, and I nurture it to give me the best leaves all summer long.

But I’m betting few people in America can keep their basil plant through the winter (maybe the folks in Hawaii can??? Lucky son’s ‘a guns!!!). But, that is why God invented Pesto. Every fall I take the last crop of basil, throw it through the food processor with some other ingredients and create a freezable way of preparing basil to use until next summer.

I got my Pesto recipe from my dear friend Nan Fountain. She adds a secret ingredient that just makes my world complete.

Then I take that pesto and make some amazing things: toss Pesto with pasta and grill some Balsamic Chicken; roast some wonderful vegetables, boil pasta, add cheese and Pesto then bake for a delicious Pesto Pasta Bake.

So yes, I do love summer. But I also love the winter because I have my frozen Stuffed Tomatoes, I have my frozen pesto and – maybe I don’t have his ribs but – I have Big Daddy.

Recipes:
Pesto
Balsamic Chicken
Caprese Salad
Pesto Pasta Bake

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