Kale Pesto

Kale is my friend

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I became a big fan of kale last summer when it was the first veggie in my garden ready for a trip to the dinner table. It was also the last surviving plant come fall.

Kale became my friend and the rumor is  it's good for you!  One of my favorites is kale pesto,  it is a great compliment to many dishes - plus it has lots of  garlic.

Kale and Walnut Pesto

¼ cup chopped walnuts

3 garlic cloves

Salt

½ cup good olive oil

½ cup Parmesan cheese

½ pound of Kale with stems removed

Directions

1.       Blanch Kale.  (Bring water to boil, add Kale and 1 tsp salt.  When water returns to a boil let boil for 1-2  minutes and remove, put in ice water) Drain well.

2.       In a food processor chop garlic and walnuts.

3.       Add Kale to food processor, slowly add olive oil until smoothly pureed

4.       Add Parmesan. And salt if desired.

5.       Serve over pasta, rice or  my favorite - Spaghetti Squash 

 I   I also like it with crackers, especially the brand Mary's Gone Crackers

(    Add cheese after mixing with pasta, rice or squash to prevent little clumps)  

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Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Snow Day Comfort Food

In the summer this rustic birdhouse
is home to a family of birds.

Giada's recipe for homemade chocolate hazelnut spread

Ingredients

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 ounces).

3/4 cup skinned hazelnuts, toasted (about 4 ounces).

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, such as Eagle Brand.

1 tablespoon honey.

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt.

Toasted baguette slices.

Sliced fruit, such as apples, pears, pineapple and/or bananas.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. To toast the hazelnuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.

Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl and place over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Grind the nuts in a food processor until pasty (the nuts will be stuck to the sides of work bowl), 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the condensed milk, honey and salt. Blend well, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the cooled chocolate and pulse until combined. Transfer the spread to a small bowl.

Serve with the toasts and sliced fruit.

Or just eat with a spoon- that's what I like to do!

 

Joy's Ice Cream

 

 My friend Joy lives in Thailand and this is her version of  ice cream.

Doesn't it sound yummy and good for you?

"Ice cream? If you think frozen blueberries, frozen young coconut, mashed banana, yogurt, chia seeds, and almonds is ice cream then yes!" ....Joy