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{Power Green Pesto} | Basil & Kale


Pesto is one of the most delicious sauces on earth, and also one of the easiest sauces to meal plan around! This rich, nutty pesto has a warm tartness to it from using walnuts rather than the traditional pine nuts. The kale also creates a synergy of warmth with the basil.

Cook up some riced broccoli with chopped asparagus and stir in a healthy serving of pesto for a "green machine" lunch or dinner, Add some whole grains too if you like. Of course you can always serve over pasta, or try protein packed green or red lentil pasta. Happy eating!

Kitchen Tools:

Food processor

Yield | 20-24 servings (2 1/2- 3 cups), 2 tbsp per serving

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz of Basil (1 large packaged container, or 2 large bunches)

  • 1 small bunch of Lacinato Kale (chopped and blanched for 15-30 seconds)

  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • 2 cups Walnuts

  • 4 Garlic Cloves, pressed or minced

  • 1 tsp Salt

  • 2-3 tsp Black Pepper

  • 2/3 cup Raw Parmesan (or 3-4 tbsp Nutritional Yeast for dairy free option)

Instructions:

De-vein the kale and coarsely chop. Blanch for 15-30 seconds and rinse under cold water, then place in food processor. De-stem the basil, rinse and add to the kale. Add the olive oil, and process the greens until they are worked down in volume; pause once or twice to scrape down the sides.

Add the remaining ingredients, and process to a fine texture. ENJOY!

 

GRETCHEN'S
COOKING &

EATING TIPS

#1 

Choose fresh, organic, local and seasonal as often as possible.

#2

Have fun learning about soaking and sprouting legumes and grains!

 

#3

Enjoy the cooking practice!  Make it a meditation. Add music and perhaps a little wine/beer ;)

 

#4

Set up some methodical "experiments" to challenge any food-phobias or food groups that you have developed a degree of "uncertainty" about. Try different preparation methods. How does grinding, pounding, sprouting, cooking and/or fermenting 

change your experience of that food?

#5

Enjoy eating! Create a stress-free eating environment. Take the time to slowly chew and savor the collaboration of food and energy that you are taking in. 

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