If you've been entertained by my sourdough starter saga on Instagram while you've been sheltering at home then you'll love this weeks episode of hot for food on YouTube! I used up a "failed" loaf to make sourdough crostini, whipped together an easy kale pesto and a simple bruschetta too.
This easy kale pesto is great to make in a pinch when you want pesto but don't have tons (or any) fresh basil! This idea came from a recent episode of #hotforfoodtakeover! Have you seen my weekly IG Live show where I with different guests each week in their kitchen? So far I've cooked with Jann Arden and Lance Bass!
On episode #2 I helped Becca in Brooklyn make something delicious for dinner during quarantine and it was a variation of this very kale pesto. She served it over some premade cauliflower gnocchi, but now you can use it in your life for whatever you're craving! Maybe it's pasta or maybe it's spread thicc on a sourdough crostini like this. Whatever your pesto pleasure I'm sure you're going to love this version using kale as the base.
kale pesto
Ingredients
kale pesto
- 5 leaves lacinato kale, large bottom stems removed
- ⅓ C extra virgin olive oil
- ⅔ C sliced almonds (or ⅓ cup raw or roasted whole almonds, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes)
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 3 to 3 ½ tablespoon lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a small food processor and pulse on high until well mixed. It should be slightly textured and not completely smooth.
Notes
Me being me, I couldn't ONLY make kale pesto! The idea of making a crunchy cheesy crostini and not putting some fresh tomato bruschetta on top seemed wrong. So here's the simple recipes laid out for you below...
If you have any leftover bruschetta I'd throw it on top of a simple garlic and olive oil pasta.
I just thought of another idea too! Take my zucchini carbonara and mix it with this easy kale pesto for an extra kick.
sourdough crostini & bruschetta
Ingredients
bruschetta
- ¾ C finely diced grape / cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon finely minced shallot
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried basil, crushed
- ½ teaspoon flaked sea salt, crushed
- fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
sourdough crostini
- 5 pieces thinly sliced stale sourdough
- ¼ C extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ C shredded vegan parmesan
Instructions
- For the bruschetta, combine the ingredients in a dish. This would be best made at least an hour in advance, but it's still tasty if eaten immediately.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- For the crostini, mix olive oil, garlic powder, and nutmeg together in a bowl. Place slices of bread onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Brush oil mixture onto all sides of the bread generously. Top with shredded parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown or until desired crunchiness is achieved and the cheese is melted.
Megan
This was super easy! Thanks for the recipe!
Lauren Toyota
glad you liked it! I realized just now I forgot to list the 2 tbsp nutritional yeast on this recipe, whereas I did it in my YouTube video 😀
Deepika Bali
In the video you used nutritional yeast but it’s not in the written recipe! Did you do it on purpose? Or should I be adding it
Lauren Toyota
Oh haha I guess I just forgot to write it in! OOPS!
Emily
What do you think would be a good substitute for kale, if anything? I usually have spinach and arugula laying around, I'm wondering if those could work instead. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Lauren Toyota
ya arugula could be good!
Jessica
OH MY GOODNESS. this is delicious. I’m thinking why didn’t I know about this sooner?!?! Kale is cheaper & is kale so I feel healthy eating this! I added a little water & made it into a pasta sauce. Delicious 😋
Param
Looks like the perfect spread for a summer day. The sourdough just makes it that much better so excited to try this and share it with all my friends and family.
Lauren Toyota
hope you love it!