Kale Pesto Pasta with Parmesan crusted Chicken

In our home this probably is the “go to meal” when we have little time, or just don’t want to make a big production of dinner.  We make this almost once a week it’s that good and easy! The texture of this Pesto is so creamy, it will coat your pasta with bright green flecks, and sprinkles of cheese. YUM.  This is not one of those sauces that runs right off your pasta leaving you with a bowl of sauce you feel sorry for.  This pesto sticks to every nook and cranny, anything that is left in the bowl you will want to sop up with a piece of bread, or if your like, you’ll be using your fingers to wipe it clean! I like to pair this with some type of chicken, today happen to be a parmesan breaded chicken breasts. This is also a recipe where the ingredients can be easily changed; like instead of Kale you can use Spinach, or Basil whichever flavor you prefer.  We use Kale because it has several benefits; filled with powerful antioxidants; high in vitamin A, C, and K; high in Iron and Calcium; and is a great detox food.  You won’t feel guilty after this meal, you’ll only feel baffled wondering where this has been all your life.

Ingredients:

1. Kale 1 bunch grated
2. 1 cup of Parmesan cheese
3. 3 cloves of garlic
4. 1/4-cup olive oil
5. 2 oz. of pine nuts
6. 1/4-cup water
7. Optional:
8. 2 table spoons Ground Flax Seed
9. 1 chicken bouillon cube

Directions:

• 1.   Wash, and trim away stem from Kale leaves
• 2.   Cut Garlic cloves in half
• 3.   Sauté the garlic and kale in pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, about 5 minutes or until the kale turns bright green.  Be careful not to burn garlic, the goal is just to soften it so that it’s easier to blend.
• 4.   Place kale, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in the blender/ food processor.

At this point you can add:

• Chicken bouillon cube, I only add this to enhance the flavor
• Ground Flax Seed – I add this because not only does it add a nutty flavor, but it is also known as a Super Food.
• 5.   Blend into a smooth consistency; the texture of the Pesto will not be totally smooth because, Kale is very fibrous.
• 6.   Spoon as much as you want of this deliciousness over any pasta you like.

Side note: this is also very delicious when used as a sandwich spread instead of using mayo.