There's a lot going on in the world right now. It's scary. If I had more time to read the paper I'd feel well versed enough to discuss it in detail like I did in college. There are wars happening pretty much everywhere, teachers aren't getting paid enough, kids bring weapons to school, natural disasters of apocalyptic proportions are striking when we least expect it, and Justin Bieber has turned hip-hop artist.
Where's Billy Joel when you need him? We could use another version of "We Didn't Start The Fire" right now to get a full state of affairs in under three minutes. But he's old. And probably drunk. Which means I'm old. But at least I'm not drunk!
I always wish I could be one of those people who could get in a workout and read three newspapers by 6 a.m. I once had a boss who did that. Highly intimidating person but what an accomplishment! I know a few moms who do it too (man, I hate them!). I really have no excuse other than being lazy. So I'll stick to the Internet for now or wait for Billy Joel to get sober and write another song for this century.
Meantime, work beckons and I'm not too happy today. Few people 'round the office aren't exactly pulling their weight. I'll leave it at that. I don't do office politics but sometimes it's hard to stay completely objective especially when...oh never mind. I'll spare you the details of my boring office life. The world is falling apart, remember?
But can we talk Pesto? Fresh homemade pesto that makes your house smell like spring? Fresh homemade pesto that can be eaten hot or cold, served on pasta or salad or french fries or on your shoe? This is up there with Ranch dressing in terms of "things you can eat on your shoe."
It also freezes well. I love pesto. It makes me happy. I just don't make it too often because my daughter is allergic to pine nuts. So as long as I keep things separate or make it when my kids are out, I can still enjoy it. Without getting too dark, it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day nonsense of your own life, not to mention the bigger chaos going on around us. So sometimes it's the little things like fresh sprigs of Basil we have to employ to put a smile on our faces. I'll leave it at that!
SPRINGTIME PESTO
Ingredients:
- Big fat handful of fresh Basil - (or just one of those plants you can get at the grocery store) or appx. 1 cup fresh spinach
- Appx. 1/2 cup good olive oil
- Appx. 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2-3 pinches of kosher salt
- 2-3 garlic cloves
Now here comes the hard part...
Directions:
- Throw everything in the blender.
- Blend.
- If it looks like you need more Basil, add more Basil. If it looks like you need more pine nuts, add more pine nuts. Get it?
- Toss heated on fusilli with lots of fresh Parmesan cheese or dress cold on beefsteak tomatoes.
- Go grab a newspaper before they stop making them and enjoy the few minutes before your own chaos begins!