Spinach and Kale Pesto

IMG 2705 e1357609103714 Spinach and Kale Pesto

I’m trying to watch The Bachelor while I write this.

Scratch that. I’m trying to write this while I watch The Bachelor.

I’m sorry if images of Sean with his shirt off cause me to not be quite as articulate as normal.

In fact, you know what? Let’s just get to the recipe.

What we’ve got here is a gorgeous, down-to-earth guy…oh wait. That’s Sean again. Crap.

Ok, seriously. This pesto is delicious, but packed with healthy, nutrient-packed spinach and kale. Use it as you would any other pesto! In fact, my friend Stef has a great way for you to use it on some roasted potatoes. (And no, we did not confer about our kale pesto-making ahead of time.)

Have some pesto left over? Store it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it again, just thaw it out and you’ll be ready to go.

Spinach and Kale Pesto
Yield: Over 1 cup of pesto
 

Ingredients
  • 2 cups chopped kale, stems removed
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup toasted, slivered almonds
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the kale and cook for 1 minute. Immediately drain and dunk into ice-cold water to halt the cooking. Drain and wring out any excess water.
  2. In a food processor, combine the kale, spinach, garlic, cheese and almonds. Pulse to combine. While the machine is running, stream in the olive oil, adding a little more until you reach your desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste, and pulse to combine again.

 

Stupid-Easy Pesto Salmon

IMG 2215 e1345080358280 Stupid Easy Pesto Salmon

I just finished baking a batch of cupcakes for a friend’s birthday.

During this baking extravaganza, as happens during many of my baking extravaganzas (or cleaning extravaganzas, though those happen far less frequently), my kitchen magically turned into a Broadway theatre as I belted it out to the soundtrack from Funny Girl.

I have zero shame about this.

If you have never watched Funny Girl, I must ask you to do so immediately.

hbz barbra sreisand 0910 05 de 15373636 Stupid Easy Pesto Salmon

First of all, Barbara Streisand is a goddess. Pure and simple.

Secondly, a young, gorgeous Omar Sharif as Nick Arnstein. Yeah, sure, he’s old now, but he wasn’t always. ‘Nough said.

And finally, if there is something happening in your life, there is a Funny Girl song you can sing about it.

Getting married? “Sadie, Sadie, married lady…”

Going through a breakup? “Oh my man I love him so, he’ll never know…”

Pregnant? “I am the beautiful reflection of my love’s affection…”

And when life’s really beating you up and all you need is the balls to tell people to stop raining on your parade…

Seriously. Just watch it.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Stupid-easy salmon.

Really, that’s what this is. So easy, it’s stupid. So easy, it’s pretty much impossible to mess up.

I’m not even asking you to make your own pesto here, although that is certainly an option. Even though you only need a tiny amount here, leftover pesto actually freezes really well, so you can easily store it away for another day. Or, you can opt to slather it on everything from pizza to pasta to sandwiches…create your own adventure!

See those noodles in the picture with my salmon? Those are some Buttery Lemon Parsley Noodles from The Pioneer Woman (I added some basil because…well, I had some). Also crazy easy, also crazy good. This whole meal came together for me in about 15 minutes. Now that’s the way to go.

IMG 2217 e1345080648158 Stupid Easy Pesto Salmon

Stupid-Easy Pesto Salmon
Yield: 1 serving (easily increased)
 

Ingredients
  • 1 4 to 5-ounce salmon fillet
  • 1 tablespoon of your favorite pesto
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Place salmon in a lightly greased baking dish. Season with salt and pepper, and spread the pesto over the top of the fillet. Bake for 6-8 minutes per inch of thickness, or until the fish is opaque and flaky throughout.