The fuss about fresh

So lately I've been a little addicted to two food shows, Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. When I'm at home with my parents l really enjoy watching food network and seeing what they are making, learning about new foods and so on. Well last night I just happened to be watching Kitchen Nightmares and they starting mentioning pesto. I have to admit I have never tried pesto in my life, partially because I love tomatoes and therefore I love marinara, but also I was a little skeptical about pesto basically because it is a green sauce. Let's face it, the only other green sauces I have seen are green chile salsa which is very good and the gravy my elementary school cooks would dye green for certain holidays, and we all know that was not good. Have the people who think kids will eat want to eat already questionable food dyed a certain color ever cooked for kids. So left with that, I wasn't sure about pesto, but last night I decided to try it. I scouted a couple recipes online and just looked at the list of basic ingredients: basil leaves, garlic, a kind of nut, olive oil, salt, pepper. That's it! So I took this new found knowledge and made my own recipe. I had planted basil this spring and kept it on my kitchen window ledge (which I love and I believe all kitchens should have one!) and it was loaded with leaves waiting for me to use. I didn't have walnuts, so I decided to substitute it with some sliced almonds which are better for you anyways. After five minutes chopping, five or ten minutes frying and a sprinkle of italian cheese blend on the top, Evan and I had fresh homemade pesto. The verdict: It was delicious! It was so light, super easy, quick and so fresh because all my ingredients were fresh. So, if you feel ready for a challenge today, try to make your own pesto. Don't have fresh basil, maybe you can try spinach. Ready for an even bigger challenge: start your own garden. You can do a little inside herb garden or plant a couple tomato plants in bigger pots on your porch like I did. Or, if you are fortunate enough to have yard space go for the gold. It doesn't have to be huge, but I guarantee you will love the outcome when all you have to do is go out and pick the produce you want. It's practically free and it's fresh. For anyone who has never tasted the goodness of a homegrown tomato, catch up with me or go to your farmer's market. You don't know what you are missing out on. Good luck!