Basil pesto

Three handfuls of basil off the windowsill and you've got a jar of pesto that leaves the supermarket stuff for dead. Ten minutes, one blender.

What you need

• 3 good handfuls of basil leaves
• 50g hard cheese, grated (Parmesan, or any hard cheese you have)
• 30g pine nuts (or walnuts, they cost less and work fine)
• 1 small clove of garlic
• 100ml olive oil
• A pinch of salt

How to make it

1. Put the basil, cheese, nuts, garlic and salt in a blender.
2. Pour in the oil and blitz for about ten seconds, until it's a rough green paste.
3. Taste it. Add a little more salt or oil if it needs it.
4. Stir through hot pasta, or spread it on toast. Keeps in the fridge for a few days under a film of oil.