PESTO CHANGE-O, Two Pesto Recipes

 Basil, and plenty of it!

Wondering what to do with all that basil in your garden? When the family was here last week and I was looking for a pesto that didn't have tree nuts, I discovered another basil pesto recipe, so today I thought I'd give you both of those that I've used within the past two weeks. They're equally delicious, and it's nice to have something a little different.

Poor Man's Basil Pesto (That is, poor, but not destitute), Recipe:

4 c. basil leaves

1/2 c. walnuts (The Rich Man's Pesto calls for pine nuts. Have you seen the price on those things? The price of walnuts is bad enough!)

3 cloves garlic

3 T. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Chop basil leaves. Add chopped walnuts, garlic, EVOO, and parmesan cheese. Pulse in food processor. Some people freeze it; others freeze it without the cheese and add that later after thawing the pesto.

Lemon Basil Pesto Recipe:

(A good alternative for those allergic to tree nuts),

4 c. basil leaves

3 cloves garlic

3 T. EVOO

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Juice of one lemon

1 t. lemon zest (Of course I used more!)

Salt & Pepper

Follow instructions for first recipe. There it is. Simple! And another pesto for your arsenal.

Lemon Basil Pesto

and Tinkyada Fettucini

Don't you think that Tinkyada should send me free pasta for all the times I've recommended their brand?? :-)

***

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Gluten-Free Chicken Pasta Casserole

 Easy, Quick Chicken Pasta

Kid-friendly

Mother-approved

First of all, pleeeeeease imagine some pimento in here. It would really brighten it up, wouldn't it! Next time...

And don't let the words 'gluten-free' scare you. If you hadn't been told, you would never know that this pasta is gluten free, except that your tummy won't hurt nor will your skin feel super-sensitive after eating it! I realize that many of you don't experience this when you eat wheat, so go ahead and use regular pasta if you want.

A while ago, I put together the following recipe that even the grandsons liked! (Well, make that one grandson. But he liked it well enough for both of them. I always figure it's a good sign if the grandkids like it.)

I would normally bake this in a 350 degree oven for a half hour before serving, but when everyone's gathered around the kitchen and looking like they're going to die from starvation any minute, it can be served right out of the skillet as soon as it's put together and thoroughly heated.


Gluten-Free, Quick and Easy Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe:

3 c. Tinkyada Penne Pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained. Be careful not to overcook the pasta.
3 c. cooked chicken, cut into pieces (or 1 large can chicken breast, drained)
3 ribs celery, sliced thin on the diagonal
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
2 T. REAL Wisconsin butter
8 oz. plain yogurt
1/3 to 1/2 c. Kalamata olives, sliced
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. pimento (I did not add it this time, but definitely will next time!)
1/2 c. crushed Stax potato chips

Saute celery, onion, and garlic in olive oil. Add drained Tinkyada pasta and remaining ingredients except for the potato chips. Stir. Place in baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with the crushed potato chips and spray the top with a cooking spray (makes the chips glisten, rather than looking dull) and set in a 350 degree oven. Bake for 30 minutes.

Kid approved: 100%
(We don't count the little brother's opinion, for he only likes candy canes. :-)

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This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and  What's in the Gunny Sack and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and  Made By You Monday and  Something I Whipped Up Monday and  Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and  Made from Scratch Tuesday and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and  Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays  and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and  We Did it Wednesday  and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday  and Creative Bloggers and  Serenity Saturday and  Home and Family Friday