Walnut Kale Pesto

A large shallow bowl with a blue and cream decorative edge is piled high with noodles coated in a bright green pesto. There are walnuts and grated cheese on top and a fork and spoon on the side of the bowl. There is a glass if white wine next to the bowl.

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Trust us, make a double batch of this kale pesto because it is delicious on EVERYTHING we've tried it on from bagels and cream cheese to eggs, minestrone, chicken, and roasted potatoes!

Wine suggestion: California Chardonnay or Pinot Gris/Grigio

Author: From The Wine Country Table by Janet Fletcher
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian, Gluten Free

Ingredients

1/2 pound Tuscan (lacinato) kale

1 cup chopped toasted walnuts, divided

1 large clove garlic, sliced

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino romano or Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for serving

kosher or sea salt

1 pound fresh gluten free egg fettuccini pasta ( I used Trader Joe's ), fresh pappardelle, OR dried linguine

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Instructions

Cut out and discard the tough central rib from each kale leaf. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the kale leaves and boil until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Squeeze dry and chop coarsely. You should have about 3/4 cup.

Put the kale, 1/2 cup of the walnuts, and the garlic in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. With the motor running, add the olive oil gradually through the feed tube and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the work bowl one or twice. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese. Season the pesto highly with salt.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Just before the pasta is done, scoop out 1/2 cup of the boiling pasta water and whisk it into the pesto to thin it. Scoop out and set aside another 1 cup of the pasta water . Then drain the pasta and return it to the warm pot off the heat. Add as much of the pesto as you like; you may not need it all depending on how well sauced you like your pasta. Toss with tongs, adding as much of the reserved pasta water as needed to keep the noodles from clumping.

Divide among individual bows. Top each portion with a shower of cheesed with the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts, dividing them evenly. Pass additional cheese at the table. Serve immediately.

Notes

Unlike basil pesto, this kale pesto keeps its bright color for at least a day. Spoon it into a lidded container, press plastic wrap against the surface, and cap tightly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 small bowl full
Calories: 539
Sugar: 1.4 g
Sodium: 503.1 mg
Fat: 41.1 g
Carbohydrates: 37.2 g
Protein: 10.3 g
Cholesterol: 4.8 mg

Find it online: https://thismessisours.com/walnut-kale-pesto/