Kale Spinach Pesto

27 Feb

My friend Vijay has been asking me to make something extra-healthy because he is trying to lose weight & get fit for Coachella.  So, Vijay, this recipe for kale spinach pesto is for you.  It can be topped on steamed veggies or eaten plain.  Kale has been labeled a “superfood” by health experts because it is full of nutrients.  Enjoy this kale spinach pesto and use it generously on just about anything without feeling guilty.

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Q: Why did Pri go grocery shopping for this recipri?
A: Rekale therapy.

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Ingredients:  Serves 4.
  • 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup pine nuts (Though pesto is traditionally made with pine nuts, they are quite expensive (approximately $10 for 1 cup so, I often use walnuts instead. The taste is exactly the same.)
  • 4 cloves chopped garlic
  • 1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup firmly packed fresh kale
  • 1 cup firmly packed spinach
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ tsp. balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup marinara sauce
  • 2 tsp. lemon juice
  • a pinch of black pepper
Assembly:
  1. Wash kale and spinach.  Remove stems.  Chop into medium pieces (this is really not necessary if you have a large blender, but I have a mini blender).
  2. Toast pine nuts by tossing them on a baking sheet and baking at 350 degrees until a light brown (about 5 minutes).  This is an important step because toasting nuts brings their oils and natural sugars to the surface, greatly enhancing their flavor.
  3. Combine kosher salt, pine nuts, and garlic cloves in food processor.  Pulse until all ingredients are coarsely chopped.
  4. Add kale, spinach leaves, olive oil, lemon juice, marinara sauce, vinegar, and parmesan. Pulse until it reaches a fine grind, but not a puree.
  5. Pour in bowl and stir to loosen up.
  6. Serve over veggies, pasta, or anything else!  I served mine over pasta this time.
  7. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
  8. Garnish with extra parmesan.

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bon apetito!
Pri

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kalicious

ingredients

step 1

step 2

step 3

step 3

I take step 3 out of the blender b/c I have a mini blender and everything doesn't fit. If you have a large blender, leave everything in the blender and continue adding ingredients.

step 4

testing the pasta to see if it is cooked

step 8: garnish with extra parmesan

steps 6 through 8

the final product

the guinea pigs

I think she likes it!

calm, cool & collected


7 Responses to “Kale Spinach Pesto”

  1. Iron Amma February 27, 2012 at 2:08 pm #

    What a great use of the vegetable Kale. Kalethe Raho!!

    Reply
  2. Suneeta Aggarwal February 27, 2012 at 3:39 pm #

    Great idea to use kale! Adding kale to my grocery list now :-)

    Reply
  3. prettynthink February 29, 2012 at 1:37 pm #

    Yummy! And I LOVE Tara’s expression!! I do think she likes it :)

    Reply
  4. Vijay Amarshi May 3, 2012 at 8:53 am #

    This is great!

    Reply

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