4/250   Any advice on making pesto sauce? I took some basil leaves and
        nuked them in a blender (at least that's what I tried to do).
        The leaves just sort of sat there, spun around a few times, and
        sank to the bottom.
        \_ mortar and pestle
           \_ Damn Cretan-age technology.
              \_ stupid cretins
                 \_ that's stupid creteans
                    \_ what?  you mean cretian?  cretin.
              \_ I think the wider base and shorter height makes it easier for
                 solid food to fall onto the blades, so it can blend better.
                 I've never used one though.  On the other hand if you blend
                 liquid food it wouldn't matter.
                \_ I used a mortar and pestle that i took from
                   chem 1a to make my pesto. it tasted kind of funny,
                   but that's alright.
                   \_ did you ever drink from the beakers?
                      \_ I took a brand-new 50CC beaker and used to carry it
                         around in my jacket. It makes an excellent
                         shot glass. -- Chemistry PhD
        \_ Maybe you need a low-speed food processor instead of a blender.
           \_ What's the difference? They seem to be functionally equivalent
              but look different.
              \_ I think the wider base, shorter height and a much smaller gap
                 between the blades and the base make it easier for solid food
                 to fall onto the blades, so it can blend better.  I've never
                 used one though.  On the other hand if you blend liquid food
                 it wouldn't matter.
        \_ You need olive oil and garlic too.  Some people even add
           pine nuts.
           \_ definately. lots of oil and pine nuts.
           \_ you can also use walnuts instead of pine nuts
        \_ Where in the heck did you get fresh basil at this time of year!?
           \_ (not original poster) Grow it - it isn't that hard.
              I have about 24 basil plants in my room that are getting
              close to ready for harvesting.  I planted them from seeds
              sometime between 4-6 weeks ago.  If you want a plant,
              email me.  -dlwhite