Kale Pesto
Sometimes things are trendy and it's kind of annoying. I was trying to think of a non-offensive example for that and... I just couldn't. But you get me, right? Sometimes there is just SO MUCH of something every place you turn and you're like gahhhhhh enough already with the ________ (fill in trendy-annoying-blank).
Other times things are trendy and once you get it, you GET IT.
Kale is pretty much like that. At first you're like whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy is everyone always shoving this leafy green that used to be just a garnish for my chicken fingers all in my face?! And then you try it a couple of ways and you realize that kale has superpowers and Popeye had it all wrong and he should have been eating kale instead of canned spinach because, um, gross. Who eats canned spinach?
Anyway. The point is that kale is trendy for good reason. It's all kinds of good for you plus it tastes amazing anyway you slice it.
So I sliced it with the food processor, some garlic, a little salt, and some good extra virgin olive oil. (i kind of might like it better than basil pesto.) <<<--- type whispering
Then I put it on everything. The pasta here - garden tomato fettuccine - was a given. But. I also used it for pizza sauce on a homemade thin crust. Amazing. Then I dipped bread in it. You should probably do that. MAKE KALE PESTO! This kale trend is worth the hype.
- 1½ cups fresh Kale leaves, torn, stems removed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Add the kale, garlic, and salt to a food processor or blender.
- Pulse to chop them further. Add half of the oil and blend until everything starts to move around a little.
- Stop the blades, scrape down the sides, and drizzle in the rest of the oil as needed until the pesto comes together. It should be thick like a paste but no large pieces of garlic or kale should remain.
You had me at pizza sauce. OMG this looks amazing! I'm going to go directly to the grocery store (do not pass go) and get me some kale NOW! What an awesome way to get nutrition into your diet. Thanks Heather for this - and my husband thanks you too even though he won't know he's eating kale! 🙂
Yay! I'm thrilled you are excited about this. I love this pesto on pizza. Let me know how you like it Daina!
Oh you are a wise cook aren't you? this is so clever, Kale Pesto.. definitely trying this that's for sure.. as for canned green anything, uh, NO!
Wse cook. hahahaha. This recipe is the opposite of cooking! But it is SOOOO yummy! Hope you'll try it. Thanks Lynne! 🙂
Haha YES. I totally feel the same way. Most food trends, I can't understand...but kale?! I'm super into it! This pasta looks a-ma-zing.
Yeahhhhhh kale! Thanks Joanne!
I could write an obnoxious ode to kale, I love it that much. But I haven't tried kale pesto yet!! Need to jump on that bandwagon, asap.
An ode to kale! Me too! This was the first pesto I ever made with kale and now there is no turning back.
HAHA I love kale! Even before it was cool. What a neat idea!
Thanks Amy! I think I was late to the party because for years it was seriously a garnish. i didn't make that up. Ha!
Here you go again, making me laugh! I woulda never thunk of KALE pesto. I will try this for sure. Keep the good recipes and laughs comin'!.
Hahahha. This is what happens when I write the body of the post late at night when I'm half asleep. Glad it works for you!!
I am so far behind on trends, it's embarrassing haha Haven't made much with Kale but this looks wonderful!
Oh listen-- I am so un-trendy it's not even funny. Peplum whaaaat?! I'm rocking jeans and flip flops with my kale pesto over here. But this is a really good vitamin-packed trend. Hope you'll try it 🙂
Lol...you made me laugh. I so understand what you're talking about. I have to say this looks heavenly.
Do they even make spinach in the can anymore?? 🙂
Probably. I know they make canned greens. Ew! Thanks so much Prudy -- this is my new favorite 5 minute recipe 🙂