[RECIPE]: Kale Pesto with Roasted Butternut Squash

I love that my Mom and I share an interest in make some tasty Fall recipes, a little bit more healthy! She was just here for a visit for Halloween, and loves to make us dinner, and has been raving about this dish she made, so asked if she could make it for us. Don't have to ask us twice!!

There is something to be said about the labor of love in making your own pesto. It's relatively easy and you know EXACTLY what's going into it, and how much oil.

Now, we aren't total stickler's when it comes to measuring. We tend to do a dash of this, a skosh of that and miraculously, it turns out perfect! Although, gets better as we make it over and over.

But for the purposes of getting you some sounds measurements for the ingredients, here you go.

 



Here's what you need for the ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH:

1 medium butternut squash, cubed (we had pre-cut squash)

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cups of sliced mushrooms.

Place on baking sheet. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Use a Misto (or "brush on") to spray EVOO on vegetables. Season with salt & pepper, garlic powder. Place in oven for 20-25 mins or until roasted or golden brown.

In meantime, let's get started on making the Kale Pesto.

Here's what you need for KALE PESTO:

4 cups of kale

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)*

2 tbsp of lemon juice (fresh squeezed if you can)

2 generous pinches of Parmesan cheese *

1/3 cup raw walnuts

2-3 tbsp water

Salt & Pepper

* You could sub out the EVOO with 1/2 cup of Cannelini Beans and/or the Parmesan Cheese with Nutritional Yeast.

Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.

 

We added some protein to ours, so tore up a Rotisserie Chicken to mix it.

You can either boil some pasta (or as my Mom calls it: Paaaaa-sta), or whip up some Zoodles and either pre-mix the pesto with the roasted veggies, or layer as you wish.

Top with some Parmesan or Nutritional Yeast for fun, and enjoy!

It sounds complicated and involved, but having some healthy convenience, like the Rotisserie Chicken, cuts down on prep time.

Let us know if you give it a try! We'd love to see your rendition!

Your friend & Coach,