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Home » Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds

Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds

Last Updated on June 19, 2018 By Donna1 10 Comments

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This kale and walnut pesto is an absolutely perfect way to use up a surplus supply of kale this summer. If you follow me on instagram (you can follow here), you will possibly have noticed me doing a bit of garden-perving whilst in San Diego a couple of months ago. I was eyeing off some giant tree-like structures of kale. As soon as we returned from vacation I got into the garden and got planting, and from just three plants, that all grew ginormous, I have had kale on tap for about 3 months.

Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds

Recently the plants went into overdrive, and I have SO MUCH to use up. There’s only so many smoothies a girl can have in one week, so I decided to whip up a huge batch of kale and walnut pesto to preserve the green goodness.

I love this stuff, and it stores well in the freezer if you don’t manage to use it all up straight away.

Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds

What do you do with kale and walnut pesto?

Ok so here is a list of things I have done so far, and a couple of dishes I plan on trying out:

  • Put it on pizza. I made a pizza, popped on some tomato sauce, some sliced heirloom tomatoes and a couple big dollops of kale and walnut pesto and: yum;
  • Plop a big dollop on some salmon and veg, wrap it in foil and cook it up (for specifics, use this recipe but instead of the salsa verde, use an equal amount of kale and walnut pesto);
  • Cook up a big pot of fresh pappardelle pasta, once ready add some kale pesto and some steamed asparagus;
  • Add a dollop to some hummus, give it a stir and pop on some fresh bread or crackers

Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds

What would you do with kale and walnut pesto? I would love to hear of any yummy creations you come up with, so be sure to leave a comment here or tag me on instagram.

5 from 4 votes
This kale and walnut comes together quickly with only a handful of ingredients. The perfect way to use up surplus summer produce and so versatile
Print
Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
This kale and walnut comes together quickly with only a handful of ingredients. The perfect way to use up surplus summer produce and so versatile
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: Anytime
Servings: 6 serves
Calories: 144 kcal
Author: Whole Food Bellies
Ingredients
  • 2 cups torn kale stems removed
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
  1. Pop everything except the olive oil into the food processor and pulse until blended, you will probably need to stop and scrap the sides down a couple of times
  2. Once the mixture starts coming together, slowly drizzle the olive oil in through the top until the pesto becomes almost creamy and reaches the desired consistency (see notes)
Recipe Notes

For consistency this is up to you: I like mine a little bit chunky so I don't blend for too long. If you like a creamier pesto then keep blending until it gets there.

Nutrition Facts
Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds
Amount Per Serving
Calories 144 Calories from Fat 116
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12.9g 20%
Saturated Fat 2.4g 12%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 123mg 5%
Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0.9g 4%
Sugars 0.6g
Protein 4.9g 10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This kale and walnut comes together quickly with only a handful of ingredients. The perfect way to use up surplus summer produce and so versatile

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Filed Under: All Recipes, Leftover Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Recipes Tagged With: cheese, dressing, easy, freezer friendly, green, kale, parmesan, pasta, pesto, produce, quick, seasonal, sunflower seeds, surplus produce, use up produce, vegetables, versatile, walnuts

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Comments

  1. Amanda says

    June 20, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Great twist on pesto! I love the idea of putting it on top of salmon. Delicious. I bet it would be great dolloped over burrata for an appetizer.

    Reply
    • Donna1 says

      June 21, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Ooh yum, thats sounds food too!

      Reply
  2. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    June 20, 2016 at 8:37 am

    I love making kale pesto. It’s a nice easy way to get some etxra greens in our diets.

    Reply
    • Donna1 says

      June 21, 2016 at 8:15 am

      I know right! I know I can always sneak it into a smoothie for the kids, but it’s nice having them gladly eat it for dinner with their salmon 🙂

      Reply
  3. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    June 20, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Love this! Love the added sunflower seeds, too! I’ve never thought to freeze pesto — not sure why not?? This looks fabulous, and yes, so many great ways to use it!

    Reply
    • Donna1 says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:31 am

      Oh thank you Patricia! Yes, I have been using it in everything lately 🙂

      Reply
  4. Steph @Steph in Thyme says

    June 20, 2016 at 6:14 am

    Thank you for the inspiration! This recipe will certainly get me out of my pesto rut!!

    Reply
    • Donna1 says

      June 20, 2016 at 7:30 am

      Haha very welcome 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jessica {Swanky Recipes} says

    June 18, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Wow, what a delicious recipe! I’d lot to have a surplus of kale growing but I just can’t keep anything alive because of scorching sun between 2-7 in nola. I will def be trying this recipe!

    Reply
    • Donna1 says

      June 18, 2016 at 5:09 pm

      Oh I know how you feel Jessica – in our last house I was the same. This new place has a patch which tends to have some shade during the hottest part of the day, so it is the first time I have had success growing much at all!

      Reply

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Welcome to Whole Food Bellies

Hi, I'm Donna. Mom of three (four if you count the dog, but it feels more like she is my grandma?!?) and wife to one. I would love it if you joined me on a journey of creating happy people and happier bellies by cutting down on the processed foods in our diets, and indulging instead in delicious whole foods.

I focus on fast, simple and seasonal dishes the whole family will love - kid approved of course! Healthy and wholesome doesn't have to be boring!

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