Kale Walnut Pesto Pasta
With Garlicky Greens
Popular opinion here, but pasta is the best.
ESPECIALLY noodles that you can slurp up in a Lady and the Tramp moment. Spaghetti I am looking at you!
Typically, I am a red sauce kinda’ gal, but I do enjoy switching it up. And, to be honest, this pesto is so -
* chef’s kiss *.
It’s got all the pesto essentials, but the pine nuts are swapped for omega-3 rich walnuts, and the basil is swapped for vitamin and mineral-loaded kale. Not that pesto needed a makeover, but as aforementioned - love switching it up!
The other really cool thing about pesto is that it can be served and enjoyed hot or cold. One more time, and say it with me: versatility, baby!
I hope you try this quick, easy, and adaptable ;-) recipe. Xx
Kale Walnut Pesto
Food for your brain and for your enjoyment.
Ingredients -
1 small head chopped and de-stemmed kale, blanched (aka quickly dipped in boiling water)
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 tablespoon nutritional yeast, or to taste
1-2 dates, or to taste (this adds a sweetness that I find really rounds out the taste of the pesto!)
zest of 1/2 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
2 small cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup-1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions -
In a food processor (or blender), pulse together the kale, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, zest and salt and pepper.
Slowly stream in olive oil until desired consistency is reached.
Stir pesto into prepared pasta.
I served this pasta with greens sautéed with garlic and pepper and topped it with red pepper flakes and more lemon zest!