Broccoli and Kale Pesto
My kids don’t always love eating dark leafy green vegetables and these 2 pesto recipes are a brilliant want of getting broccoli and kale on the menu more regularly. Adding broccoli, or kale also bulks up the pesto itself. Basil is expensive and not always in season, so adding green vegetables is a really affordable way of making a hearty homemade pesto.
There are 2 versions to follow here, as I make these recipes a lot for playdates when kids come over; most children love pesto pasta. I have included some top tips for storing the pestos, as you can make them ahead and store them very easily, either in your fridge, or freezer. Give these a go and make your weekly pesto pasta, a little more exciting and healthy too.
You can prep ahead and store both of these pesto recipes ~
Pour the pesto into a narrow air tight container, and top with 1/2 cm oil to protect the pesto (less surface area from a narrower pot, means less oil)
You can also freeze the pesto in ice cube trays, again top with a layer of oil. They will store in the freezer for up to 3 months and defrost as needed.
Recipe 1 ~ Broccoli Pesto
Is delicious with roast chicken, grilled fish and dolloped on top of home-made pizza. Making your own pesto tastes worlds away from anything shop-bought. Adding broccoli bulks up the pesto and tastes delicious! You can also cook along with me in the recipe video below.
ingredients
200g broccoli
80g Parmesan, grated
80g olive oil
25g fresh basil leaves
Black Pepper
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
To serve ~ pasta of your choice and extra Parmesan
Prep the broccoli by breaking off the florets in even sizes. Steam the broccoli until cooked through but still with a little bite.
In a blender blend the cooked broccoli, Parmesan, olive oil and basil. Blend until combined, but still with a little bit of texture. Season with black pepper and you can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon to sharpen the flavours.
Stir through cooked pasta and serve, with an extra grating of Parmesan cheese.
Watch the recipe video…
allergens
pasta potentially contains gluten and wheat
the pesto includes dairy
Recipe 2 ~ Kale Pesto
This recipe is a goodie for bigger kids, it needs to be mixed through hot pasta, with a little bit of the cooking water, to be really delicious (it doesn't work on cold pasta, or served cold). Throwing the pesto through hot pasta also helps break it down. Raw kale can cause bloating, so I suggest an equal mix of kale and basil and I wouldn't serve this to babies/ or small children, as it might be harder for them to digest.
ingredients
25g kale, washed
25g basil
50g Parmesan
50g pine nuts (not suitable for nut allergies)
1/2 small garlic clove
Olive oil, to loosen into a consistency you like
Prep the kale and pick through removing any stems, you just want the leaves
Blend with the other ingredients and loosen with good quality olive oil until you have the consistency you like. Add a few spoons to just cooked, and hot pasta, loosen with a little bit of the pasta cooking water and serve.