Pesto, and Brie, and Jam... Oh My!

What do you do when you have a basil plant that is just bursting at the stem with bright, beautiful, green leaves? Why you make fresh pesto of course!  My boyfriend and I had another couple over (Hi W. and B.!) for drinks last night and I figured this was a great time to try a new creation.  I've made pesto before, but I wanted to put a twist on it to be part of an appetizer.  And so, it became a Pesto Tapenade served on a Baguette.

Ingredients - Pesto Tapenade

(Note: the amounts can easily be changed to suit your personal desires!)

2 c. Fresh Basil
1/4 c. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Garlic
1/2 c. Pine Nuts
1/4 tsp Lemon Juice
1/2 can Olives
1/4 c. Fresh Parmesan Cheese




Sidenote:  While I was at my local grocery store getting the goodies I needed, I was stuck at pine nuts on my list.  I couldn't find them anywhere.  So I called my own personal food guru, my mama.  Of course she knew where the pine nuts were, even though she had never been to my grocery store before!  Incase you don't have your own personal food guru, you can find the pine nuts in the Italian Section of your grocery store, not the Nuts Section like I originally thought.
    

1)  Pick the stems off the basil and thoroughly wash.

2) In a blender puree the basil, garlic, and olive oil.

Then add in the cheese, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lastly the olives.

Remember you cab always add more in, but it's pretty impossible to take away... so add slowly!












3)  To serve, I spread a small amount on a sliced baguette.

45 Second Brie Appetizer

Love warm, gooey, salty yet sweet cheese?  Well this appetizer combines all those into one and it only takes 45 seconds to make!

Take your favorite jam and spread a small amount over the brie.  You can use any type of jam, mine this time happened to be a Blueberry Preserve.  

Pop the combo in the microwave for about 35 seconds (remember microwave times will vary) and serve with crackers.

This simple appetizer is always a crowd pleaser!

Have your own issues with finding rare items (pine nuts for me) in the grocery store?  Who is your food guru you turn to to help you out in a "pickle"?

Tell me all about it in the comments section below!

~Eat Well and Be Happy~