RECIPE: Kale Pesto

Ingredients:

• ¼- ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 ½ -2 teaspoons salt
• ½ pound lacinato kale, stems removed, coarsely chopped (1 medium bunch should do)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ tsp old bay seasoning
• ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Toast chopped walnuts in a dry, heavy skillet (such as cast iron) over high heat, stirring constantly until they start to brown and become fragrant. Alternatively, place on a baking sheet and toast at 325 degrees. Keep an eye on nuts – they burn quickly and will get bitter!
• Bring about two quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt, then add kale. Cook, uncovered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from pot and drain.
• In a blender or food processor, add garlic, walnuts and drained kale and whiz until well combined. Pour in oil in a steady stream, and pulse until combined. Add ½ teaspoon salt and Old Bay Seasoning, pulse, then taste. Add remaining ½ teaspoon of salt if necessary.
• Spoon pesto into a bowl and stir in cheese and pepper.

For ½ pound pasta, use 2-3 tablespoons pesto. Keeps really well in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to a week.

Makes about one cup.