You can make green pesto from many leaves other than basil; not being a fan of fragrant basil I prefer a sparky pesto made from rocket leaves. Neither do you need to rely on pine nuts, I often use other nuts or seeds to make pesto. Thirdly, you don’t need parmesan to make pesto either; here I’ve combined blue cheese with walnuts and rocket.
Bags of rocket leaves need to be used quickly but if you have some rocket that might otherwise be wasted, these portions of pesto ready for quick meals in future will help you prevent food waste. I also think home made pesto tastes better than the stuff in jars and is so easy to make a batch for 3-4 meals’ worth I rarely buy green pesto. (Although I am fond of red pesto with sausages in pasta).You can also make red pesto mixes using roasted peppers, aubergines or sundried tomatoes rather than green leaves and herbs.
My thrifty habit recently has been buying pairs of bags of rocket when they’re on offer and what doesn’t get eaten in salads or sandwiches gets whizzed up my own pesto before it turns floppy. Generally a small tub of home made pesto will stay in my fridge for up to a week and but it’s very useful to keep portions of home made green pesto in the freezer.
Shortly after New Year, I stumbled across one of my all time favourite food bargains ever. Half moons of blue stilton marked down to £1 when they’re originally been £8 each at full price. Unable to believe my eyes, I bought three. I cut them into quarters, wrapped these wedges in paper and froze them. Possibly freezing Stilton isn’t the best way to preserve its flavour but at this price I didn’t care. Probably I won’t need to buy any more blue cheese this year.
Ways to use homemade pesto
Tossed with pasta
Spread it on toasted bread such as bruschetta or ciabatta
As a pizza sauce instead of tomato
Spread on tortilla wraps
Mixed into salad dressings
Mixed into cheese sauces
Stuff chicken breasts
Coat grilled fish fillets
Leftover rocket pesto with walnut and stilton
Half a bag of rocket
A handful of walnuts
Some chunks of blue Stilton
Olive oil
and of course garlic.
I’m not specifying exact quantities because these aren’t rigid. Simply blitz the lot in a handheld blender until you’re happy with the texture. Use it immediately or store in the fridge or freezer.
Do you ever make your own pesto?
I agree – cheese is becoming a real luxury item. I have got to the stage now where I have to hide the cheese and ration it out to my little ones. It is always a great feeling when you come across a real bargain like the stilton. Thanks for another great entry to Credit Crunch Munch.
You make so many valid points here about the cost of food in this country, and how sizes are being reduced…its a scandal that its cheaper to feed a family on sweets rather than good basic food. I love homemade pesto (makes a great pasta dressing and thats another cheap meal)…love your recipe!
Oh my goodness. This sounds so amazing. I want to eat it slathered over pretty much everything.
We love cheese and eat far too much of it! Love the idea of walnut and Stilton pesto.
What an absolute bargain Sarah. Love pesto in pretty much any form. Sage and walnut can be good if the leaves are young and it’s used sparingly.
You are a genius! Rocket and walnuts in pesto with BLUE STILTON!!! Just pass me a spoon. I’ll just eat it as it is. No need for pasta or anything like that!
Oh yes please! Such a great way to use leftovers 😉
Delicious! I adore home made pesto (sadly without the cheese for me) in bacon butties. Yum!
Janie x
I have to admit, I make a pasta sauce using rocket, cheese (I use whatever is in the fridge – laterly gorgonzola) and walnuts. I’m too lazy to blitz it though, I just chop the walnuts and cheese up and stir the lot through cooked pasta till the cheese melts and the rocket wilts. It’s a great flavour combination;)
As you know, we had bought the very same cheese at full price, and so I was rather envious that you got yours for such a bargain price! This recipe has my name all over it too, all my favourite ingredients and so easy to whip up! Fab idea! Karen
Sarah this is a fab post !what a mind blowing bargain this cheese is at! I would bulk buy too . I love walnuts and ur pesto recipe sounds fab!
Delicious home made pesto , I love the vibrant colour.
Lovely recipe Sarah, everything is considerably better with (reduced)price blue cheese!
Thank you for sending to Credit Crunch Munch.
Great pesto, I’m all for buying up baragains and freezing them.
Love homemade pesto and yours looks delicious! And what a fab find in the supermarket.
Morning! Just wanted to let you know that your pesto recipe features in this month’s Foodie Round up! Best wishes. Emma