Name: Simple Kale Pesto
Ingredients: garlic – 2-3 cloves or 1-11/2 tablespoons bottled chopped garlic; kale – 3 cups packed kale (about 1 small bunch); walnuts or pecans – 3/4 cup toasted*; fresh lemon juice – 2 tablespoons (about 1 lemon); salt – 3/4 teaspoon; black pepper – 1/4 teaspoon; olive oil – 1/4 cup

Print Recipe

Simple Kale Pesto

Author: Yum Daddy

Description

Get in your greens with this savory dish.

Ingredients

garlic – 2-3 cloves or 1-11/2 tablespoons bottled chopped garlic
kale – 3 cups packed kale (about 1 small bunch)
walnuts or pecans – 3/4 cup toasted*
fresh lemon juice – 2 tablespoons (about 1 lemon)
salt – 3/4 teaspoon
black pepper – 1/4 teaspoon
olive oil – 1/4 cup

Instructions

In a blender or food processor, blend salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and walnuts or pecans until finely chopped and well combined.
Add kale. Drizzle oil into mixture while blending and puree until pesto reaches desired consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. If pesto is too thick, add more water or olive oil to thin.
Serve over whole grain pasta, spread on whole wheat crackers, or serve as a fresh vegetable dip.

*How to toast walnuts or pecans:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Arrange walnuts or pecans on a cookie sheet in a single layer.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, turn over nuts several times to toast evenly.
Let cool before using

Notes

Prep Tip:

Change it Up: No kale on hand? Substitute with basil, parsley, garlic scapes, or chives. For a Mexican inspired pesto, substitute kale for cilantro and the nuts with pepitas.

Nutrition Tip: