![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN25p1_l0V69AJM1K2nql5o_AhHachtWmZjK79e5vMJmPcuCyzEd8I8uHOWqiobVNfQPqDyIgnkRd8U-xKDseny3Kf3WNbEwZVmhwMH2XIv8gfLIbee721g4PRkbvWs_sgBrtxnq4JRIE/s400/Summer+Lunch+05.jpg)
While at the gym, I got lucky because I caught part of a cooking show on PBS while running. I believe the show is called Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen. Lidia made a pesto that sounded really good, and I recreated it (more or less) at home. It turned out great! I didn't measure any of the ingredients. But here is more or less what I did to make the pesto.
Tomato, Almond, Basil Pesto
- Salted almonds (about a hand-full)
- 5 basil leaves
- 3 cloves of garlic
- [Crush the above ingredients in a food processor]
- [Next I added the following to the food processor]
- 5 more basil leaves
- 4-6 medium sized tomatoes
- Olive oil (I ended up using very little olive oil - maybe a tablespoon)
- Salt (optional)
The pesto has a nice crunch to it and is soooo flavorful. Hubby, toddler & teenager all heartily approved. Quite an accomplishment!
Here is a picture of the pesto by itself. I think it would be a great topping for toasted bread as well...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jJX-M7xv6d1XiK9ee2V18n8FUX0du57E63lAI_QDCTVQG_7zREZaTn7vp6pG_j3pUrJTEsbJt0o4h07IRiUKGZzxtkbh_qxF92gpC3lYjs5v87LIKKOlQR6uLBOvwKKhfuRdiVNBCm8/s320/Summer+Lunch+01.jpg)
And here is the pesto tossed with whole wheat spaghetti
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaF0TM8LM_L0y64kDtVegkyk5DBMgekAk9exgi0Ejfr6jrspxz4OnHqgER3PoGjeuH4rN6t_JJI5kMDoO_xalMpkP7hmIxAyCKyvhH-5QenVXzco6ED0Eriwg7Mt2qELZRUDBIhMKmcaQ/s320/Summer+Lunch+04.jpg)
A picture of the summer salad
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEffcQYfMmJCGmu37YdaHYvnVITGR5U7FV8aE21enlHNMLLfmn8Yng6pDfLzLau5hp_2rd4qUfHv8HzsauEehixD3FO85CS_iVFkyV691DvdIpcSwGDYAZwY4RFUJ2DuylVk9bWKHAZio/s320/Summer+Lunch+03.jpg)
Oh, and we also treated ourselves (hubby and I that is) to some delicious red wine.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6af7Yg0xekmCTqTFCUbfs2t0qhM7rsqMtdRf3rVxWFQYLiv8pEB7kANgUftJVsfs0bmCg1Xm-ycckBBsk2R_XHiRUxoxwcPs1wCLFyrMQ_Fbnh1RW3J4Exi_0lRS-b-uau2pTEj5R-Q/s320/Summer+Lunch+02.jpg)
It truly was a perfect summer lunch!
What's your favorite summer meal? Please share!
Be well,
Andrea