Wild Garlic Pesto (Pesto à l'ail des ours)

This simple recipe makes one 420g jar full of delicious pesto.

Alright, let's talk about our obsession with wild garlic - it's like a garlic wonderland in our Swiss backyard! Our garden is bursting with the stuff, and we've become the go-to spot for all our garlic-loving friends. We even gave our garden a new name - "Garlicville" - it's like the Vegas of the garlic world! We're so crazy about this garlicky goodness, we've started to wonder if the vampires in the neighborhood are avoiding us like the plague. But hey, who needs 'em when you've got wild garlic, right? 🧄🌱

Time: 20 minutes | Serves: 6 - 8

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INGREDIENTS

125g fresh wild garlic (washed, drained, and stems removed) – Found in many major supermarkets

75g pine nuts

125ml olive oil

45g grated parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tbsp dried chili (optional)

* Wild garlic can be found in many major supermarkets!

* For the photos, we doubled all the ingredients making 2 jars.

HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's make this wild garlic pesto even wilder. Making wild garlic pesto is a cinch!

1. Wash and drain your wild garlic, giving it a little shake to get rid of any excess water.

2. Cut off the stems because, let's face it, no one wants a stem in their pesto!

3. Throw all your ingredients in a blender and give it a whirl. If it's not smooth enough, add a bit more olive oil and blend again.

4. Voila! You now have a jar of deliciousness that will take your pasta game to the next level.

Pro tip: Spread a generous spoonful of your homemade wild garlic pesto over any freshly cooked pasta, top it off with your favorite grated cheese (ours is parmesan), and enjoy the flavor explosion in your mouth.

Just be sure to store your pesto in the fridge and eat it all up within two weeks. Trust us, it won't last that long anyway! Everyone else will be around to finish it sooner than you think!

Read a short fictional story by us about this recipe!

Bon appétit bébé!

WHAT IS WILD GARLIC?

Are you ready to discover the wonders of Wild Garlic and how it can transform your cooking?

Get ready to add a new level of flavor and excitement to your meals with this little gem. From marinades to salad dressings to sauces, Wild Garlic is the perfect ingredient to take your dishes from "meh" to "wowza!" So, let's buckle up and get ready for a wild ride of culinary exploration with Wild Garlic. Vampires beware!

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THE BENEFITS OF THIS MEAL

Well, hello there, foodies! Have you ever tried wild garlic pesto? Not only does it make your taste buds sing, but it also packs a punch of health benefits! Here are just a few reasons why you should be adding wild garlic pesto to your meals:

Nutritional powerhouse: Wild garlic is like a multivitamin in leaf form, packed with vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium. And don't forget about the pine nuts, olive oil, and parmesan cheese - they're all nutritional powerhouses too! Together, they create a delicious pesto that can give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Antioxidant properties: Who doesn't love a good antioxidant? Wild garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil are all rich in antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage. And let's be honest, we could all use a little extra protection these days.

Immune-boosting effects: Did you know that wild garlic is a natural immune booster? Its high vitamin C content can help strengthen your immune system, making it a tasty way to stay healthy.

Flavorful and versatile: Wild garlic pesto has a bold, persuasive flavor that can add a pop of taste to any dish. Whether you're using it as a sauce, spread, dip, or marinade, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it's a creative way to elevate your cooking game.

Homemade goodness: Making your own wild garlic pesto means you can control the quality of the ingredients and customize it to your liking. It's also a great way to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.

So, don't be shy - add some wild garlic pesto to your meals and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. Trust me, your taste buds and your body will thank you! Vampires beware!

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A fictional story by the chef!

Wild Garlic Magic: A Fairytale of Love, Creativity, Heroism, and Cusine Discoveries

Bruce and Bernard were a couple deeply in love, who had been together for over a decade. Bruce was a renowned chef known for his culinary expertise, while Bernard had a passion for gardening and spent hours tending to their lush and bountiful garden. They had tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in London and had recently fulfilled their lifelong dream of purchasing a charming three-story house in the idyllic Swiss countryside.

Their new home was a vision of rustic elegance, with its walls made of natural stone that exuded a sense of timelessness, and a thatched roof that added to its fairytale-like charm. The house was adorned with cascading vines and blooming flowers that painted the landscape with an array of colors. The interior was thoughtfully decorated with a blend of vintage and modern furnishings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflected their impeccable taste.

Their garden was a labor of love, carefully nurtured by Bernard's green thumb. It boasted a thriving veggie patch where they grew an abundance of organic produce, including juicy tomatoes, crisp carrots, fresh lettuce, and a variety of aromatic herbs. Fruit trees lined the perimeter of the garden, offering a generous harvest of luscious fruits throughout the year.

One day, while rummaging through the garden shed, Bruce and Bernard stumbled upon a tattered and weathered map hidden among the gardening tools. Intrigued, they unfolded it carefully and examined it with curiosity. To their amazement, the map seemed to lead to a mysterious part of their garden that they were not aware of.

Following the map's instructions, they embarked on an adventure, hacking their way through the overgrown foliage until they arrived at a secluded corner of their garden. As they stepped into the hidden area, they were mesmerized by what they saw. A magical wild garlic garden patch unfolded before their eyes, bathed in a soft and enchanting glow. The wild garlic plants stood tall and proud, with leaves that glistened in the sunlight and delicate white flowers that emitted a bewitching aroma.

Bruce and Bernard were captivated by the otherworldly beauty of the wild garlic. They could sense the mystical energy emanating from the plants and felt drawn to their alluring properties. They wasted no time in putting their gastronomic skills to work, experimenting with the wild garlic in their kitchen.

Bruce, a master of flavors, concocted an array of tantalizing recipes using the wild garlic. He whipped up a batch of Wild Garlic Pesto, blending the aromatic leaves with pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, grated parmesan cheese, freshly squeezed lemon juice, a hint of dried chili, and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. The resulting pesto was a symphony of flavors, bursting with the unique and pungent taste of wild garlic, and quickly became their signature dish.

But it didn't stop there. Bruce and Bernard explored other gourmet delights using the wild garlic. They infused olive oil with the fragrant leaves, creating a golden elixir that added a burst of flavor to salads, pasta, and roasted vegetables. They also crafted a wild garlic salad dressing that was a hit among their friends and family, combining the tangy notes of lemon juice with the earthy undertones of wild garlic. They even experimented with wild garlic salts, creating their own unique blend that added a touch of magic to their delicious creations.

One day, as Bruce and Bernard were tending to their wild garlic garden, they noticed a very strange and dark figure lurking in the shadows of the corner of their hidden garden. They walked ever so closer to the dark figure, with their heartings beating fast with every slow step they took. Their hearts skipped a beat as they suddenly realized what they were looking at was in fact a tall and horrifying vampire, with fangs gleaming in the moonlight. The vampire had somehow managed to sneak into their enchanted garden, drawn by the mystical aura of the wild garlic like a moth to a flame.

The vampire hissed, revealing its menacing teeth, and approached them with a sinister grin. Bruce and Bernard stood their ground, but fear coursed through their veins. They knew they had to act fast to protect their beloved garden and themselves.

Bruce's eyes fell on the wild garlic, and a sudden idea struck him. He quickly plucked a handful of fresh wild garlic leaves and held them up, chanting ancient words he had read in a book about magical herbs. The wild garlic seemed to shimmer with a newfound potency, emitting a pungent aroma that wafted through the air.

The vampire recoiled, shielding its sensitive nose from the overpowering scent of the wild garlic. It hissed in pain, its eyes narrowing in frustration. Bruce and Bernard could sense the creature's discomfort and pressed on, waving the wild garlic leaves in front of them like a shield.

The enchanted garden seemed to come alive with the magic of the wild garlic. The leaves rustled in the breeze, the flowers bloomed in vibrant hues, and the air crackled with energy. The vampire's strength waned as it struggled to withstand the power of the wild garlic.

Bruce and Bernard, emboldened by the wild garlic's magic, advanced toward the vampire. They chanted louder, their voices echoing through the garden, and waved the wild garlic with determination. The vampire, unable to withstand the potency of the wild garlic, let out a blood-curdling scream and vanished into thin air, leaving only a trail of smoke behind.

As the adrenaline ebbed, Bruce and Bernard realized they had successfully vanquished the vampire with the help of their beloved wild garlic. They looked at each other with a mixture of relief and triumph, their hearts swelling with pride. The wild garlic had proven to be not just a culinary delight, but also a powerful tool of protection in their enchanted garden.

They took a moment to marvel at the beauty of their garden, now glowing with an even greater radiance. The wild garlic stood tall and proud, a symbol of their resilience and bravery. They felt a deep connection to the enchanted garden, knowing that it was a place of both mystery and magic, where their love had blossomed and their culinary adventures had thrived.

With renewed gratitude for the wild garlic and the enchantment it brought to their lives, Bruce and Bernard continued to share its magical healing properties with their friends, family, and neighbors every year in springtime. They made wild garlic-infused oils, salads, salts, and other recipes, each dish carrying a touch of the garden's mystique.

And every time they shared the story of how they vanquished a vampire with wild garlic in their enchanted garden, they couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that wild garlic was also known as "bear garlic". It was a reminder that even in the face of challenges, a little humor and a touch of magic could turn an ordinary garden into an enchanted haven, where love, creativity, and the power of nature prevailed.

Word of their wild garlic garden and their culinary creations spread quickly, and soon they were known as the "Wild Garlic Chefs" in their region. People traveled from far and wide with their fan t-shirts saying "Wild Garlic: Not Just for Pesto, But Also A Vampire Repellent!", and they came to taste the exquisite wild garlic-infused dishes and experience the magic of their garden with the unbelievable story of the vampire.

Bruce and Bernard's house became a hub of creativity and inspiration. They hosted culinary workshops and gardening classes, where they shared their knowledge and passion with others. They invited renowned chefs and herbalists to collaborate with them, creating a melting pot of culinary and botanical expertise.

The house itself became a reflection of their love for nature and their creativity. They adorned the walls with artwork inspired by the wild garlic, showcasing its intricate leaves and delicate flowers. The fragrance of wild garlic lingered in the air, creating a sense of enchantment that enveloped their home.

Their garden also flourished with the addition of the wild garlic. The plants grew tall and strong, forming a canopy of lush green leaves and blooming flowers that attracted bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The garden became a haven for wildlife, with birds chirping and squirrels frolicking among the trees.

Bruce and Bernard's love for each other deepened as they nurtured their garden and explored the wonders of the wild garlic together. They spent evenings sitting by the fire pit in their garden, savoring the flavors of their wild garlic creations and sharing stories of their adventures, especially of how they vanquished a vampire! They laughed, they danced, and they made cherished memories in the embrace of their magical home.

But it was not just the wild garlic that brought them joy. It was the shared moments of wonder, discovery, and creativity that made their life together truly magical. They found solace and inspiration in the beauty of nature and the simple pleasures of life, and their love grew stronger with each passing day.

In time, Bruce and Bernard's wild garlic garden became a renowned destination for foodies, nature lovers, and seekers of magic and scary vampire tales. They continued to experiment with the wild garlic, creating new recipes, and discovering new ways to utilize its healing properties. But they never lost sight of the true magic that made their house a home - their love for each other, their passion for nature, and the enchantment of the wild garlic that brought them together on a magical journey of love, creativity, and mouthwatering delicacies.