Basil Pesto Rigatoni with Shrimp

Every October I start watching low temps to see when I need to either make pesto with the remaining basil or try to bring a plant or two inside for the winter. Last year I brought two plants in and they did ok until around February. I think Daisy may have been snacking on them and they probably just didn’t get enough sunlight but they looked pretty pathetic.

Generally I make different varieties of pesto, sundried tomato with basil, spicy Thai basil, just regular basil you name it. Oh and the basil is great in compound butter too.
Last night I was feeling like I needed some pasta and since temps will be in the upper 30’s next week, it’s time to start using up the rest of that awesome summer basil.
Here’s my quick and easy recipe

2 cups of basil. I used two handfuls of mixed varieties
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil – add more if needed
2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts – I didn’t have pine nuts and don’t care for the flavor too much.
Pinch of salt
1 garlic clove – chopped fine
3 tablespoons of shredded parmesan
Tear the basil into small pieces and place in food processor. Add remaining ingredients and mix until all ingredients are in small pieces and blended well. If too dry, add more olive oil.

That’s it, quick and simple. If using immediately cook pasta, add shrimp, chicken or whatever you like along with any other veggies. We did shrimp, peppers, fresh tomato and asparagus.
If you make a large batch freeze them in ice cube trays. Once frozen, place into zip top bags and store in freezer for whenever you need a taste of summer.

I struggled with what wine to pair the meal with as I felt it needed something that wouldn’t overpower. My husband’s not a big white wine drinker and if we have a white wine, it’s not always served with dinner but enjoyed on our front porch.

I also knew my husband was probably done with wine for the evening, so I popped open a bottle of Herres Brut Sparkling from Aldi. Yeah, that’s right Aldi. Since I’m back, to working full time, I don’t have my Fridays to run to Alpharetta and hit Trader Joe’s, Total Wine or any of my other big box wine stops.

A few months ago, I decided to check out Aldi and picked up a few bottles to see what they were like. Herres, a German Sparkler quickly became one of my favorite inexpensive wines to turn to.
Flavors of crisp, fresh apples, dry and refreshing and priced at just $4.59, I’ve gone back for more several times. The other plus, my husband doesn’t like Champagne or Sparkling wines, so it’s mine, all mine.

We go down to 38 tonight. On my agenda for the day is making compound butter and transplanting one plant to bring in side. I’ll leave the rest for now and hope for the best. The basil will not go to waste, this I know.