Basil Hummus

Basil Pesto…Delicious on almost everything!

Strawberry & Basil Margarita

Tomato & Basil Chicken

Basil

Basil & Tomato Chicken…serves 4-6, prep time 15 minutes, cook time 15 minutes

• 1 1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 6 fillets
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tbsp dried oregano…Salt and pepper to taste

• Grease a medium sized non-stick skillet with cooking spray or olive oil and set over medium high heat
• Season both sides of chicken with salt, pepper & oregano and cook about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until chicken is almost entirely cooked through
• Turn the heat down to medium & add the tomatoes and garlic. Cook for about 4-5 minutes
• Add basil & butter, and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste
• Turn heat to low and let sit for about 5 more minutes

Basil Hummus Prep time: 15 minutes ,Cook time: 5 minutes, Makes about 3 cups

• 2 cups sweet basil leaves, packed
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed then minced
• 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Up to 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1/4 cup pine nuts optional

• Place the basil and the garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
• Add the garbanzo beans, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, tomato paste, and pulse until the hummus is smooth
• If using pine nuts heat in a pan with olive oil until brown & mix into hummus save a few for the topping
• Add more salt or lemon juice to taste. Add water to the point of desired consistency.
• To serve, place in a bowl and drizzle a little olive oil over it.
• Serve with pita wedges, crackers, or rustic bread.

Strawberry Basil Margarita… makes 1 pitcher/8 servings recipe from thekitchn.com

• 10 strawberries
• 8 basil leaves
• 1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate
• 2 to 2 1/2 cups tequila (gold or silver)
• Empty the limeade concentrate into a pitcher. Add 2 1/2 cups of water & 2 1/2 cups of tequila mix together
• Slice the strawberries lengthwise, and add to the pitcher.
• Cut the basil into small pcs and add to the pitcher
• Place the pitcher, covered, in the fridge overnight, or for at least four hours