Pesto

*3 bunches basil

1 cup olive oil

3/4 cup grated parmesian (not the stuff in a can! you have to use real cheese!)

(pecorino romano or any other hard white chees works well, too)

1 package (2.25 oz) pine nuts - toasted

3-4 cloves garlice - sauteed (barely browned)

2 tomatoes - diced (optional)

2 chicken breasts - cooked, cubed (optional)

1 box pasta (any shape; we used cellentani in the picture above) - cooked according to box directions

dash nutmeg (optional)

salt, pepper to taste

Puree the following in a blender or food processor: basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese, and nutmeg. Stir into cooked pasta. Add diced tomatoes and chicken. Salt and pepper to taste. Buon appetito!

*Note: as with most of our Italian cooking, we don't really measure anything, so the above amounts are an approximation.