It’s that time of the year when my basil is at it’s peak and I’m cranking out pesto. I make it, put it in an ice cube tray and freeze it. I keep a big bag of frozen cubes for quick lunches.
Yesterday, I was reviewing different recipes and they had a banner advertising different pesto sauces for sale. I started to look at ingredients and was shocked. Pesto is basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese & pine nuts (walnuts work in a pinch). Here is an example of jarred sauce & the ingredients:
Barilla - Creamy Genovese: Vegetable Oils (Olive and/or Sunflower), Basil, Cashews, Whey, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese PDO (Part Skim Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Soluble Corn Fiber, Salt, Contains 2% or Less of: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic, Basil Extract, Natural Flavors, Sugar, Lactic Acid. Rustic Basil: Basil, Vegetable Oils (Olive and/or Sunflower), Spinach, Garlic, Grana Padano Cheese (Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes [Egg]), Salt, Cashews, Potato Flakes, Pecorino Romano Cheese (Sheep’s Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Lactic Acid, Yeast Extract, Natural Basil Flavor.
Amazingly, the cheaper ones are the closest to what I make at home.