Avocado Pesto Pasta

I really missed blogging, that is why I decided to make a new blog.  This time, it will be focused on family, our home, our lives, our favorites, and our travels.  It has been a while since I last made a blog post, two years, I think.  I have had enough rest and time to care for my baby, so I am officially back!  For my very first entry, I would like to share my personal favorite, pesto.  I have lots of basil leaves from my basil plant lately, so I decided to make this very easy and yummy recipe.  This will make three to four servings.  For this, we will need the following:

 * half an avocado

* basil, the more the merrier.  I used about one cup.

* olive oil, approximately quarter to half a cup.

* a handful of your nuts of choice.  I used pumpkin seeds and some pecans.

* two to three cloves of garlic.

* a dash of pepper and pepper to taste.

Let us begin!  First, we need to boil the noodles according to package instructions.  I have spaghetti noodles on hand, but you can also use fettuccine.  Set it aside, then let's make our pesto.  All we have to do is put all the ingredients in a blender.  That is it. That easy.  If you do not have a blender, a big mortar and pestle will do the job.  Blend all until smooth.  You may have to add a little bit more oil if your mixture is too dry.

The total cost of this recipe is about 150 to 200 pesos.   A pack of pasta, the budget pack from Del Monte is about 25 pesos.  You can use two packs for this.  If you happen to not have basil available, because I know, I know, not all of us have basil plant, you can buy basil at your supermarket for 20 pesos.  That is approximately a cup or so of basil.  You can also add malunggay if you want, half and half.  An avocado is 30 to 40 pesos in the supermarket depending on weight.  As for the nuts, pumpkin seeds which are without shells sells for about 40 pesos, you will only need half a pack if you wish to use other nuts.  A quarter of a up to half a cup of cashews sells for 30 pesos, same with almonds.  Olive oil sells for about 100 to 150 pesos a bottle depending on the brand.  All in all, the pesto itself will cost under 100 pesos to 150 pesos and the noodles, about 50 pesos.

  Now, all you have to do is add you pesto to your noodles and enjoy.  Super fresh, super healthy, and cheap.