Creamy Pesto

3 05 2013

Fresh herbs are the bomb, they add a flavor punch to any salad, meat or veggie dish with very little effort. They can jazz up the most pedestrian of dishes & make them into something amazeballs and the top news is, they are pretty easy to grow yourself so you always have some on hand. You don’t need much space, just a few small pots and, a hot tip for new players, get the kind of pot that has the self-watering bit at the bottom….. Trav bought me these ones after I kept killing the last lot of herbs because I forgot to water them. Poor herbs.

Basil has been hailed for its excellent anti-inflammatory benefits as well as its antioxidant properties that can protect the body from premature aging, common skin issues, and even some types of cancer. Did you know that dill is a very good source of calcium!? It is also a great antibacterial and contains oils that can help neutralize some types of carcinogens.

1 full packed cup chopped herbs (I used a mix of dill, basil & parsley)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 heaped tsp fresh grated ginger
1 avocado
Juice 1 lemon
1 tbs tahini
2 tbs olive oil
Pinch salt & pepper

Blend in your food processor the herbs, ginger & garlic until it is as finely chopped as you can get it. Add the remaining ingredients & blend well until smooth. You can add extra olive oil or even some water or green tea of you want a runnier consistency. I used this to dress my super salad concoction of kale, fennel, grated beetroot, grated carrot, chopped apple, baby tomatoes, capsicum, dried seaweed flakes, celery, cucumber & homemade turmeric sauerkraut. I will certainly NOT get scurvy after that meal!

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And here’s my kick a$$ super salad

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Stuffed & Wrapped Chicken

17 01 2013

The meat soirĂ©e continues…. This time with prosciutto. How have I survived this far without it?! This is super easy and can be served with whatever else you fancy. The chicken is stuffed with what is essentially a pesto that I made from what was left in the fridge, there was no measuring so just experiment with what you have in the quantities you have. That’s helpful isn’t it. Off you go.

Stuffing-
2 big handfuls Italian parsley (you could use basil or regular parsley if you like)
2 big handfuls kale
1 long red chilli
1 tbs grated ginger
2-3 handfuls walnuts (or whatever nuts you like)
2 tbs apple cider vinegar
2 tbs olive oil (or oil of your choice)

Chuck everything but the nuts into the food processor & blitz until it is all chopped up & looking “pesto-ish”. Add the nuts & pulse a few times until it is at the consistency you like. If it is too wet, add some more herbs/kale, if it’s too dry add a dash more oil or some water. Done.

Wrapped Chicken-
4 chicken breasts- sliced open so that you can stuff them
About 8 pieces of prosciutto (bacon would probably work too)
1 tbs coconut oil for cooking

Preheat the oven to 200C. Stuff the chicken breast with the pesto stuffing and close over to contain. Wrap the chicken with 1-2 pieces of prosciutto to cover the outside. Heat the frypan & add the coconut oil. Once hot, add the chicken breasts, cooking just enough on each side to seal them. Pop into a baking paper lined tray & into the oven for about 15 mins until cooked through. You could cook them completely in a frypan if you like, I find they stay more juicy & the outside doesn’t burn in the oven though.

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Broccoli Pesto

4 08 2012

This was inspired by a few recipes I have seen like this lately. The one from Green Kitchen Stories looked delicious so I thought I’d jump on board and make my own version.

Broccoli has a strong, positive impact on our body’s detoxification system, it is also a rich source of fiber, Vitamin C, beta carotene, folate, as well as a variety of other important nutrients. Broccoli has fantastic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in our bodies, it is low carbohydrate and helps support a healthy digestive system.

1 large broccoli head
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Juice 1 lemon
1 cup walnuts (you can use other nuts or sunflower seeds if you like, I lightly toasted mine 1st)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup flaxseed oil or olive oil
1 handful rocket
1 long red chilli (deseeded if you don’t want it too hot)
2 tbsp green tea or water
salt & pepper

Place everything but nuts in a food processor and whizz until smooth, add more green tea or oil to achieve the consistency you want. Now add the nuts and pulse until they are chopped to the chunkiness you like. I serve this tossed through salad or steamed veggies, tossed though pasta or rice noodles and with some grilled chicken, fish or beef.

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Spinach and Pistachio Pesto

18 05 2012

This pesto makes a great dip, spread or topping. I like to use mine to drizzle on grilled chicken and pizzas. The spinach is so full of goodness and the pistachios are storehouse of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Copper is an essential trace mineral that is required in neuro-transmission, metabolism, as well as red blood cell (RBC) synthesis. Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin E and B-complex group vitamins.

1 cup firmly packed baby spinach
1/2 pistachios
1/4 flaxseed oil
Juice 1 lemon
Pepper and salt to taste
Green tea- as required to get the consistency you want

Use a stick mixer or small food processor, process spinach, lemon juice and oil until combined, add pistachios and pulse. Season with salt and pepper and add green tea and continue pulsing until you get the consistency you want.

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Basil & Almond Pesto

25 04 2012

Basil and Roast Almond Pesto

1 bunch basil
1 red chilli
3 tbsp flaxseed oil
1/2 cup dry roasted almonds
2 cm square fresh ginger
Pinch salt
Cracked pepper to taste
1 tsp honey
1/4 cup green tea
Juice 1 lemon

In food processor add basil, chilli, ginger, lemon juice and flaxseed oil and process until combined, add honey, green tea, salt, pepper and almonds and blend until all chopped and combined to the consistency you like. Store in a jar or airtight tuppaware in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You can use cashews or pine nuts in place of the almonds if you prefer and also add some spinach or rocket instead of 1/2 the basil if you like.

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