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Better than Store-Bought, 10 Minute Homemade Basil Pesto

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There only is one green sauce that actually everyone likes – pesto. Contrary to all other green sauces, pesto somehow manages to convince, despite its very healthy looking color. And if you buy it at the store, it’s so easy, right? It is. But let me tell you, once you have made your homemade one, you‘ll never go back to store bought. This salty goodness just won‘t compete with the one from the store. Plus, it really just takes 10 minutes to make.

What’s special about this dish? 

To be honest, this is not too fancy or has a special twist. This is one of the few classic recipes. Because really, pesto is so heavenly as is. Actually making pesto yourself already is kinda really special. 

Traditional pesto

What even is pesto? What is it made of? And what differentiates traditional pesto from most store bought ones. So, pesto is a green sauce from Liguria, Italy. It is eaten with pasta, burrata, as a topping or a dip. It is made of fresh basil, grated parmesan, garlic, pine nuts, salt and olive oil. For a really good pesto, it is essential to use high quality ingredients, especially a good olive oil and some good parmesan cheese. And that already is the difference to most store bought ones. In order to make them cheaper, the quality is compromised. Often, there is water added to it or olive oil is partially substituted with some cheeper oil. This way it does not taste as intense and as good.

Also, when it comes to making pesto, it is really important which ingredients you blend, any which you stir in by hand. The basil, garlic and pine nuts need to be blended. The parmesan needs to be grated and then stirred in by hand along with the olive oil. You must not blend the parmesan and olive oil!!!!!! This needs to be stirred in by hand.

The only store bought pesto I buy is either the one from our local delicatessen store or the one from pastafani. They both have the right texture and high quality and taste like real, authentic pesto. So I can highly recommend this.

Is this dish healthy? 

Definitely healthy-ish. It is packed with lots and lots of healthy fats and vitamins. The basil accounts for a bunch of fibre and different vitamins. The nuts on the other hand are a great source of protein and also unsaturated fats. The olive oil, if high quality, also is an excellent source of omega-3 and other unsaturated fats. The parmesan cheese is packed with a bunch of protein but also saturated fat. So overall, a quite balanced meal. 

How to make this dish?

As the title says, this really takes 10 minutes only. All we need to do is blend the basil with the garlic cloves, roasted pine nuts and a pinch of salt. This should be blended really finely and make a thick paste. Then we need to grate the parmesan cheese and stir in a little parmesan cheese and a little oil a bit at a time until we get a creamy consistency. And yup, that already is it.

When and how to best have it and meal prep friendly? 

Pesto definitely is one of the most meal-prep friendly dishes. When you make it and have something left, you can just store it in a jar and cover it with oil. It‘ll last up to 2 weeks, if covered completely with oil, because then it is not in contact with fresh air. 

In terms of what to vest have it with, I‘d definitely say pasta!! Either Trofie (that‘s what you would typically get with pesto in Italy) or definitely on top of burrata or mozzarella, on top of salads, or, one of the best combos, which I have recently discovered is Pesto and Hummus. A MUST try! On bread, rice crackers or whatever – it is life changing.

Homemade Pesto is a must try and a real game changer. It is SO easy and honestly one of the most delicious things you could make. I know I have told you a bunch of times here, but there is no way you dl not try this! 

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Better than Store-Bought, 10 Minute Homemade Basil Pesto

There only is one green sauce that actually everyone likes – pesto.  It is SO easy and honestly one of the most delicious things you could make. Ready in 10 minutes (and gone in 5 probs)

Course basics, dinner, lunch
Prep Time 10 Minuten
Total Time 10 Minuten
Servings 4 servings

What you will need

  • 50 g basil
  • 30 g pine nuts
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 100 g parmesan cheese
  • 125 ml olive oil

How to

  1. Roast the pine nuts in a nonstick pan on high heat until golden. Add to a food processor along with the basil, the garlic and some salt. Blend until having reached a creamy paste.

  2. Finely grate the parmesan cheese.

  3. Add the basil mix to a bowl and about 2 tbsp at a time, add in the cheese and the olive oil. Then repeat until having nothing left.

  4. Serve with pasta, bread, salads, or just enjoy as is!

I am wishing you a whole bunch of fun and deliciousness when cooking! 
Enjoy,
Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière 

Healthier and Incredibly Simple 4-ingredient Bounty Bars

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Bounty. The bar we all love. I mean, who can resist some sweet coconut covered in crunchy chocolate. That bite into it is like a bite of heaven. But unfortunately they are not very nutritious and good for us. But that won’t stop us from eating them, right?! That’s why we are making an incredibly easy and healthier version of them that tastes at least as delicious!

When I made them the first time, they were gone within a day, more or less. And it resulted in a family fight about who would get the last one hahaha. So be aware that they’ll be gone quickly when you make them!

What is special about this dish?

Healthy(er) bounty bars. That is very special. Plus, they are incredibly easy to make, so anyone can make them! You really just need 4 ingredients to make them and you do not even NEED a blender. It of course is easier with one but it also us possible without one! That‘s what makes them really special! 

Are they healthy?

I would definitely say healthier than regular bounty bars. They are nutrient bomb but they definitely are better, nutrient wise, than regular ones. Why? Because regular ones are loaded with refined sugar, preservatives and flavor enhancers, which all are not healthy for our gut, teeth and overall health.

Our version is just made of shredded coconut, coconut milk, maple syrup or honey and chocolate. That is all. The shredded coconut and coconut milk are pure and without any additives, the maple syrup or honey still contain sugar but they also contain nutrients such as fibre and vitamins, especially honey does. When it comes to the chocolate, it really depends on the brand you choose. The darker the chocolate is, the healthier it is. Also make sure to choose one with as few ingredients as possible. You can check the  label at the back of the package and maybe you even find one, which is sweetened with coconut sugar.

How to make them:

This is incredibly simple. You just need to mix the shredded coconut, coconut milk and sweetener. This can be done with a mixer or blender, which definitely is quicker and easier, and if you don’t have one, you can also mix and knead it by hand. Once this is combined we are pressing it onto a tray, a casserole dish or into a baking tin and let it cool in the fridge or freezer for at least 1 hour or, even better, overnight.

The next morning, or a few hours later, we melt the chocolate. Please do not add coconut oil to thin it out, because then the chocolate won’t cover the bars as good. The pressed and chilled mass now is taken out of the fridge and cut into bar-sized pieces. These now are dipped in the chocolate and chilled in the fridge again! That’s it! 

The best snack

This is not only a perfect snack but also a great dessert. The best thing is, you can just take them out if the fridge and that’s it! That also is the reason they are gone so quickly 🙁

We LOVE these, even say they are better than Kokosbusserl, and that really means something!

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Healthier & easy, homemade, Vegan Bounty Bars

At least as good as the original and much healthier. Plus, they are soso easy to make. A bit fluffy and coconuty batter on the inside and crispy chocolate on the outside. Everythnig we want for a snack.

Course Dessert, Snack
Prep Time 15 Minuten
Cooling time 3 Stunden
Total Time 3 Stunden 15 Minuten
Servings 10 bars
Calories 212 kcal

What you will need

  • 150 g shredded coconut
  • 100 g coconut milk (the firm part only)
  • 3-4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 200 g chocolate

How to

  1. From the can of coconut milk, only use the thick part!!! Do not use the watery part. Add this firmer and thicker part to a blender along with the coconut shredds and the maple syrup until it makes a thick and sticky paste or dough.

  2. Into a baking tin or casserole dish or onto a baking tray lay a parchment paper and add the coconut filling on top. Press it down and flat, so it is about 1-1,5cm thick. Cool in the fridge for at least one hour or overnight.

  3. When ready, melt the chocolate and let cool a bit. Cut the bonuty bars into 10 about 3cm wide and 8cm long bars. Dip each bar into the motlen chocolate and lay onto the parchment paper again.

  4. Cool in the fridge for another 2 hours at least. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy them as much as we do and have a fun time making them!

Happy cooking & enjoy,

Love,

Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière