Herb Touches for Your Meals

Pesto Bread Crumbs

You will need:

1 cup dry bread crumbs

2 large cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

3 tablespoons roasted pine nuts

1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender, just until combined. Use on cooked vegetables, eggs, to top casserole or to sprinkle over salads or fresh tomatoes.

Roasted Garlic

You will need:

4 heads whole garlic

1/4 cup oil

Crusty Bread

Slice off the top tip of each head of garlic with a sharp knife. Arrange in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle with oil. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until garlic cloves are soft and tender when squeezed. Be careful not to burn garlic. Remove from oven and arrange baked heads with their oil on a plate. When garlic cools, dip the bread in the oil and squeeze out the baked pulp from the individual garlic cloves onto bread to eat while warm. Note: This is one head per person. You may even roast one at a time just for yourself!

Hummus

You will need:

2 1/2 cups canned garbanzo beans, rinsed

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. cumin

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley

salt and pepper to taste

In a blender or food processor, blend all ingredients until mixture reaches desired consistency. For a creamier texture add 1/4 cup water. Chill and serve cold with pita or tortilla chips.

Tomato Basil Relish

You will need:

2 cups loosely packed fresh basil

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

4 to 5 ripe tomatoes

Chop the basil finely. Core and dice the tomatoes. Mix together basil, juice, vinegar,garlic, salt,pepper and tomatoes in bowl. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve with grilled chicken, or grilled vegetables.

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