Cooking Lesson #1: Uses of Basil

Apparently the notoriety of my cooking skills spans state borders... so my friend, Matt, invited me over for family dinner at his place. 

My first cooking lesson in Chicago was making pesto with fresh basil. 

First we picked basil from their plant on the patio. 

Then we washed it & added it to the blender... with some walnuts

And other things, including pink himalayan sea salt. (Who has this in their house?)

. 

The pesto was delicious. 

Alright, I said. It's my turn to whip up something with basil. :)