Kale Pesto Quinoa Linguine

There is a section in the grocery store I go to dedicated to Gluten Free foods….I have always noticed gluten free pasta…wondered how it tastes. Was not sure if I wanted to spend $3.49 on a box of pasta. The latest issue of Prevention has article on some healthy eats… it included frozen Kale and this……

So on my last grocery trip, I decided to spend that money and try this pasta.  Of course Kale was also in the shopping list… just not frozen 😉

This is something my husband would not really try…so today when he works until late… I decided to make some Kale Pesto and cook this Linguine. I added a little roasted veggies (mushrooms, yellow peppers and tomatoes).

Kale Pesto:

1 small bunch Kale, de-veined

1/3 cup walnuts, toasted

2-3 gloves garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

2tbsp – 1/4 cup oil (I used 2 tbsp)

Parmesan Cheese

Procedure:

1. Toast the walnuts in a pan over medium flame.

2. Heat a pot of water and bring to rolling boil. Add the Kale leaves and cook for 5-7 minutes or until slightly tender. Drain and lay on tissue/cloth to remove excess water.

3. Blend all ingredients in a food processor and Enjoy.

I did use Magic Bullet so mine is more like a paste… BUT it tastes awesome. Usually Pesto has 1/4 cup olive oil. But we are trying to make this healthy….so less oil is as good. Kale and Lemon work well together…so if you want you could add a little bit of lemon juice too.

Kale Pesto with Linguine

Ingredients

2-3 tbsp Kale Pesto

Quinoa Linguine or any noodle pasta of your liking

Gruyere Cheese/Parmesan Cheese for toppping

Roasted Vegetables (optional)

Procedure:

1. Boil the pasta as per directions. Drain and reserve some pasta water.

2. Put the pasta back in the hot pot and add the pasta, roasted vegetables (if using) and water. Mix and heat through.

3. Serve it hot with shredded Gruyere cheese  or Parmesan Cheese.

I used Quinoa pasta…. and I boiled it definitely more than said on the box to get it to my liking. Now about this pasta– it is the kinds that will need 3-4 tries before you like it. With the Kale Pesto, I could not really say it was not regular pasta, but every now and then a bite and it was noticeable. But again if you could acquire the taste of whole wheat pasta, I am sure you can acquire the taste of this too. With or without vegetables the pesto pasta would taste delicious. I topped mine with Gruyere cheese.

Kale Pesto was a success for me… as much as Basil pesto taste good… I would rather have Kale Pesto…maybe add some basil leaves 😉

I do hope you guys try the pesto as well as the Quinoa Pasta =)

Until Next time

Enjoy

Cheers =)