Do we have any chefs here?

[MuggsyB]

I will have to try that Biolea olive oil from Crete when I run out. 

[jficke13]

Muggs, you mentioned using primo olive oil. Have a favorite?

I go back and forth with using really good olive oil for pesto. Obviously a single origin, cold pressed, extra virgin is awesome, fruity, bold (I took a tour at a small family owned EVOO producer in Greece, blew my mind). Sometimes those oils almost overtake the other flavors.

I'm a big fan of Seka Hills from California.

[jficke13]

Similar, but Kirkland/Costco is outstanding

The Bon Appetit pesto recipe is so dang easy and so dang good I find it hard to get motivated to try anything store bought.

[MuggsyB]

I'm a big fan of Seka Hills from California.

That's a solid all-purpose olive oil. 

[MuggsyB]

The Bon Appetit pesto recipe is so dang easy and so dang good I find it hard to get motivated to try anything store bought.

Pestos are not difficult.  Those who store buy are punishing their taste buds for zero reason.  Not only that, pestos freeze extremely well for at least 4-5 months. 

[JWags85]

Kirkland pesto and some Lays pita chips with a cup of freshly brewed coffee from the Keurig, nothing a home chef could compete with to be honest.

[21Jumpstreet]

Pestos are not difficult.  Those who store buy are punishing their taste buds for zero reason.  Not only that, pestos freeze extremely well for at least 4-5 months.

So true. What I do is make a ton during my basil growing season, freeze it in a silicone ice cube tray with larger sized cubes, pop them out, and keep them in individual cubes in a freezer bag. I'll do this with tomato sauces and strawberry basil sauce for gin cocktails, too, as I am not a canner (yet).

[MuggsyB]

So true. What I do is make a ton during my basil growing season, freeze it in a silicone ice cube tray with larger sized cubes, pop them out, and keep them in individual cubes in a freezer bag. I'll do this with tomato sauces and strawberry basil sauce for gin cocktails, too, as I am not a canner (yet).

Outstanding job Jump.  I do the cube thing too, and jar stuff.  If we have lazy scoopers that insist on substandard quality, while paying significantly more money, they are losing out.