If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times (what does that saying really mean by the way?), if there’s a food item I suggest every mom always keep in her fridge for a quick dinner fix, it’s pesto. Pesto is your best friend during those times when it’s late in the day and you’re officially too brain dead to make dinner — let alone think about what it should be. I should know, because I feel that way weekly.
I’ve rarely met a kid who doesn’t enjoy pesto. Maybe it’s the unmistakable taste of Parmesan cheese which makes it so addictive for them. Mixed into rice or pasta, as part of an Egg Pesto Melt, whipped up in an omelette (as Chloe has been asking for all this week), or using a good thick spread of it on chicken or fish before baking, pesto is a miracle food which makes most any food taste better.
Ensure your mealtimes will be super easy from now on. Just make a big batch of this Kale Pesto recipe, put some in the fridge, and then freeze the rest in small individual containers so you will always have some on hand when you need it. And trust me, once your kids taste this, you’re going to need some on hand!
Kale Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 cups packed kale leaves
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts*
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
- Serve over rice, pasta or as a sandwich spread.
- Note: If you don't have toasted walnuts, you can easily make them. Just spread roughly chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and pop in a 400°F oven for five minutes.
Can I triple this recipe and freeze it in smaller portions?
[…] Tuesday – (meatless) Rising Moon ravioli with kale pesto […]
[…] http://b12.ba4.myftpupload.com/2013/01/07/kale-pesto-the-easiest-kale-recipe/ […]
Outstanding!
Tried this tonight.. None of my 4 kids liked it at all.. Neither did my husband or I.. First time trying Kale anything.. Guess we’re not kale fans 🙁
[…] of the wascilly wabbit visiting us at night (sadly, our carrots did not fair so well). I saw a recipe for kale pesto and decided to try it. I usually do not like pesto because I do not like strong basil flavour and […]
[…] Kale Pesto: Check out this recipe from weelicious.com for an easy kale pesto. […]
love all the great ideas!
Great ideas for the whole family!
[…] – kale pesto with broccoli and yellow squash, yeast rolls […]
Loved this recipe- thank you! I also used pine nuts instead of walnuts, and used 1/2 kale and 1/2 basil. I served it with whole wheat pasta and sliced chicken breast. The kids really loved it, and my older son (6) actually said that it’s his favorite. As if he had tasted it millions of times before – hahaha! thanks again Catherine. This was a great way to get them eating kale.
I liked it but everyone thought the raw garlic was too strong. I had to add more kale, nuts and oil to drown out the garlicky taste Next time I will roast the garlic beforehand.
[…] Because I live alone, it is hard for me to eat a whole bunch of kale (or spinach, or chard, or carrot tops or basil, or cilantro, or parsley for that matter) before it starts to wilt. After making a salad or side dish, I use the left over kale leaves to make pesto. I divide the large portion into small baggies which I store for weeks in the freezer. This fresh topping is delicious on fish, chicken, pasta, and sandwiches! Here’s the recipe I use: http://b12.ba4.myftpupload.com/2013/01/07/kale-pesto-the-easiest-kale-recipe/ […]
It will definitely taste different, but you can use just about any nut you prefer!
Can you make this without walnuts? Or will it taste totally different?
[…] pesto made with kale and decided to give it a try, and it was a huge hit! The recipe can be found here on Weelicious.com. This is a very inexpensive meal that packs a great nutritional […]