Inhale: the scent of basil

Does any herb intoxicate the senses like summer basil? Inhale - and smile.

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Pasta salad with basil, sun-warmed tomatoes, and artichokes:

To hot, drained vermicelli add:

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Gently diced fresh tomatoes

As much sliced fresh basil as you want

A good drizzle of olive oil

Several squeezes of fresh lemon

chopped artichoke hearts from a jar

Kosher salt and pepper

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Pesto pasta:

If you have a cup of basil leaves, you can make pesto. This makes about 3/4's of a cup of pesto.

3 garlic cloves

1 cup basil leaves, firmly packed then sliced

about 1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

1/2 cup parmesan cheese ( or none, or more)

kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper

juice of a half a fresh lemon

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Place the garlic cloves in a food processor and chop finely. Add the rest of the ingredients and blitz until smooth. This is highly adaptable to individual tastes - so feel free to experiment.

You can scrape this into a jam jar and stick in the freezer until January - when it will bring a smile to your face and a reminder of sweet summer days.

Or you can just toss gently with hot pasta and dig in. Use a little ( a few tablespoons) or a lot, like the whole jar:)