Garden Pesto

Day 6

If you have a basil plant, you're probably looking for more ideas on what to do with it. If you don't have a basil plant, you should still make this recipe. Why? Basil

is a good source of magnesium, iron, calcium, vitamin C and potassium. So while you're enjoying a delicious meal, you're also fighting inflammation and free radical damage. P

esto makes the perfect marinade for chicken or fish. Make it the night before and refrigerate so it thickens. The next day, put the chicken or fish in a gallon-sized ziplock bag with half of the pesto. Let it marinade for several hours. Use the remaining pesto to baste as you grill or bake.

Recipe

2 cups fresh basil leaves or a combination of basil and parsley

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup pignoli nuts, walnuts or plain almonds (optional)

Directions

Put all ingredients in blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Nutrition Facts

per serving: 60.3 calories, 6.6 grams fat, .3 grams carbs, .3 grams protein

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray