so, as it turns out, our garden thrives on being ignored.
after leaving for a week{ish} on vacation, with no one to water the plants, we came back to the damn thing looking better than it ever did when we were actually caring for it. go figure.
we’ve steadily ignored it since returning home & our basil looks fantastic.
so, while everyone’s running out to grab the first pumpkin spice lattes of the season, we’re hanging on to the final flavors of summer…in the form of basil pesto, which just so happens to go perfectly with my coworker’s overabundance of figs on this delicious sandwich.
WARM FIG, PESTO, MOZZARELLA & PROSCIUTTO SANDWICHES
serves 4
1 loaf ciabatta, sliced crosswise, then into 4 sections -or- 8 thick slices of other bread of choice
4 tablespoons pesto, recipe as follows
8oz fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
salt & freshly ground pepper
12 basil leaves
1/2lb figs, sliced
4oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
preheat oven to 425°. make sure the rack is in the center.
on a baking sheet lined with foil, assemble the sandwiches. lay the 4 bottom slices of bread on the baking sheet, spread with pesto. divide the mozzarella evenly amongst the bread & season with salt & pepper. evenly add the fig slices, followed by the basil & finish off with the sliced prosciutto.
place the tops on the sandwiches & slide in the oven to heat. bake for about 10 minutes, until the bread is warm & the cheese has slightly melted. serve immediately.
adapted from dinner tonight: serious eats
BASIL PESTO
makes about 1 cup
2 cups basil leaves, packed
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano cheese, freshly grated
salt & freshly ground pepper
in the bowl of a food processor, combine basil & pine nuts. pulse a few times. add the garlic & pulse a few times more, until everything is well chopped.
with the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil in a slow & steady stream. stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the cheese & season with salt & freshly ground pepper. pulse until the entire mixture is well combined.
serve on these sandwiches, pasta, pizzas…
from simply recipes
