Ingredient: Basil

Kale Pesto

Kale Pesto

This Kale pesto is an extremely healthy and a delicious version of a traditional green herb pesto.

What is a pesto exactly?

Pesto is simply a puree of greens that is emulsified with olive oil. It can be great with some pasta or as a sauce with roasted veggies. I’ve even been know to eat this Kale pesto as a dip with some veggie sticks or crackers.

And, as with all my recipes – It’s simple and quick and don’t forget to taste as you go!

This recipe uses the puree technique of emulsifying.

As with all of me recipes, this is a guideline and should be adjusted to your liking. Feel free to play as you go and ALWAYS cook with your senses!

If you like this kale pesto recipe, you should also try my Arugula Parsley Pesto Puree as well

Kale Pesto
Kale Pesto
Print Recipe
This Kale pesto is an extremely healthy and a delicious version of a traditional green herb pesto. Pesto is simply a puree of greens that is emulsified with olive oil. It can be great with some pasta or as a sauce with roasted veggies. I've even been know to eat this Kale pesto as a dip with some veggie sticks or crackers.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Kale Pesto
Kale Pesto
Print Recipe
This Kale pesto is an extremely healthy and a delicious version of a traditional green herb pesto. Pesto is simply a puree of greens that is emulsified with olive oil. It can be great with some pasta or as a sauce with roasted veggies. I've even been know to eat this Kale pesto as a dip with some veggie sticks or crackers.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Clean Kale by removing leaves from the stem.
  2. Add all ingredients, except Olive Oil into your food processor. (If it doesn't fit, add it to a bowl and them process it in 2 parts.)
  3. Start the food processor and add the oil slowly until the pesto is a thick consistency. Then add a bit more oil, all while blending.
  4. Season with a good amount of salt and pepper and buzz once more to incorporate.
  5. You can serve over pasta or as a sauce with chicken or roasted veggies.
Recipe Notes

Ingredients to prep ahead: EVERYTHING! This is great made and then can be frozen in portions to use on a chaotic day! Pro Tip:

  • This Kale pesto recipe is great with the optional ingredients, but is still delicious if you don’t have them on hand.  You can also swap the sunflower seeds for a nut. (walnuts, pecans, almonds etc)
  • This pesto is great with pasta, added to chicken or steak, or even just with some crackers.
Share this Recipe

Balsamic Marinated Summer Veggies

There are many vegetables at the market that grow in abundance in the Summer.

Squash, Zucchini, Peppers, Eggplant – These veggies are cheap. Unfortunately, many people don’t like them or don’t know how to make them SUPER yummy so that they enjoy them.

My secret – This is the ONLY way I will eat these particular veggies.

As with all of my recipes, measurements are NOT important. I always urge you to taste as you go and use your instincts.  You know what you like!

Balsamic Marinated Summer Veggies

Print Recipe

This simple & fast marinated veggie recipe can be made ahead of time and eaten all week. You can also use the let over marinade as a dressing!

Add some cooked Quinoa, Cous cous or Rice for a full lunch.

Servings Prep Time
4 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 10 minutes

Servings Prep Time
4 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 10 minutes

Balsamic Marinated Summer Veggies

Print Recipe

This simple & fast marinated veggie recipe can be made ahead of time and eaten all week. You can also use the let over marinade as a dressing!

Add some cooked Quinoa, Cous cous or Rice for a full lunch.

Servings Prep Time
4 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 10 minutes

Servings Prep Time
4 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
15 minutes 10 minutes

Ingredients
Balsamic Marinade (aka. dressing)

Veggies


Servings: people

Instructions
Marinade
  1. Add all ingredients to a jar and season with salt & pepper. Shake it up.

Roasted Veggies
  1. Load all the cut veggies in a bowl and pour the marinade over the top.

    (Peppers - simply cut off the sides for large pieces)

  2. Let sit for 10 minutes.

  3. Place all veggies on a baking sheet. Be sure to not crowd the pan and do not let them overlap.

    (This will ensure that they will brown and not steam)

  4. Place in a 450 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes until they are tender.

    No need to flip or move the veggies.

  5. Enjoy with a salad or as a side dish. Finish with some of the left over marinade as a dressing!

Recipe Notes

The veggies for this recipe are also really great if grilled! -- Just be sure to cut the pieces lengthwise so they don't fall through the grill.

Add these veggies to some cooked quinoa, cous cous or brown rice for a delicious Summer salad.

Marinade will last weeks in your fridge!

Share this Recipe
 

Chimichurri

Chimichurri sauce is a zesty, flavorful addition to grilled meats or veggies! I love to make a big batch and keep it on hand in the fridge; it jazzes up any boring meal, plus it will keep for a long time if tightly covered.

You don’t have to stick with the exact herbs I have measured here; as long as you have the vinegar to oil ratio correct, feel free to play around with the herbs and the spice to your own taste. Chimichurri sauce is really just a bright and herby marinade, so allow yourself to get a little creative with the ingredients!

I really love serving this chimichurri on grilled steak or chicken, with a side of corn salsa. 

Chimichurri
Print Recipe
This bright and herby sauce is a great addition to any dish and will make your most boring meal exciting again!
Chimichurri
Print Recipe
This bright and herby sauce is a great addition to any dish and will make your most boring meal exciting again!
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Chop herbs & combine in a bowl (I usually use equal amounts of each, but feel free to add more/less of what you like. Feel free to substitute other herbs!)
  2. Chop the bell pepper and tomato into small dice.
  3. Combine all ingredients with olive oil. You want enough oil so that the herbs are “swimming”. Add olive oil to coat the herbs, then add a bit more.
  4. Add a splash of red wine vinegar just until you taste the acid come through the vinegar. It is not a vinaigrette; it should not be very acidic. You want just enough to cut the oil.
  5. Season with salt and pepper
Recipe Notes

**As for measurements: This is an herb heavy sauce. It should be 50% herbs & 50% everything else.
As for mint, it is a strong herb so only a small bit is necessary.

You can make variations of this recipe by using different add in and/or different herbs.

Share this Recipe