Pesto kale chips

I won’t lie to you that kale chips are just like regular potato chips. They’re definitely not the same, but kale chips are still a solid go-to snack. Both are are crunchy, salty, and snack-able.

I like this pesto version to amp up the flavor even further. While the kale chips bake, the pesto dehydrates in the oven and you’re left with concentrated pesto flavor in each bite. And don’t skimp on the salt! I find that’s what makes these addictive.

If you want to make your own pesto for this one, give my basil pesto recipe a try. It doesn’t require pine nuts, which makes it budget friendly, but a jarred version will work here too.

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Pesto kale chips

Ingredients

• 8 lacinato kale leaves, ribs removed
• 1/4 cup pesto

Instructions

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment.Place the kale leaves on the baking sheet, and massage in the pesto until the kale is evenly coated. Spread the kale out in one layer, so the kale gets crispy and not soggy. Sprinkle a generous pinch of salt over the kale. Bake the chips in the oven for around 15 minutes until crispy. Enjoy warm.

Basil pesto without pine nuts

This quick, homemade pesto recipe doesn’t use pine nuts, but you won’t miss out on any of the flavor.

Jarred pesto is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with, but fresh pesto is a different thing. All of the ingredients are brighter: fresh garlic adds punch and heat, while the basil is still fragrant, not dull.

I can’t be the only one who has had sticker shock when buying pine nuts. Pine nuts are expensive, and I’d argue not too necessary to making pesto. While pine nuts are part of most classic pesto recipes, I substitute them out with almonds or walnuts instead. If you’re allergic or don’t like nuts, you can leave them out all together for a nut-free version of pesto. No matter how you blend it up, you’ll want to make this pesto over and over again.

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Basil pesto without pine nuts

Ingredients

• 4 oz. fresh basil (~ 3 packed cups)
• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled
• 1.5 tablespoons almonds
• 1 tablespoon parmesan
• Sprinkle of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients, minus the olive oil, to a blender or food processor. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Blend the ingredients, slowly pouring in the olive oil until it reaches your desired consistency. Blend more for a smooth pesto, and less for a chunkier version. Add the full 3/4 cup of olive oil for a pesto that’s thinner and drizzles, and less olive oil for a thicker one.Enjoy fresh, or store in an air-tight container for up to 2-3 days. The pesto might darken in color when exposed to air, but still tastes great.

Turkey meatballs with chimichurri

Turkey meatballs with chimichurri is an easy, weeknight wonder. All you need are a few kitchen staples, ground turkey, and fresh parsley to make this one happen for dinner tonight.

Now, let’s talk about turkey. It has a poor reputation - and it’s not totally fair. Over-roasted turkey not so great. Roasted turkey meatballs smothered in chimichurri, is another story altogether.

Chimichurri is one of my favorite sauces because it’s vibrant green (just like my other favorite pesto!), but packs its own unique punch with plenty of fresh garlic and red wine vinegar. It can hang out with the best steaks, but happily lifts up turkey as well.

Give this one a try and see for yourself.

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Turkey meatballs with chimichurri

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons oats
• 1/2 lb. ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon grated pecorino romano cheese
• 1 cup fresh parsley, loosely packed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 large garlic clove

Instructions

Finely blend the oats in a food processor or blender until they resemble fine crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons of water and allow the oats to soak for ~10 minutes until soft.Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.In a large bowl, combine the soaked oats with the ground turkey, egg, and pecorino romano cheese. Add plenty of salt and pepper. The mixture will be soft, but that’s just fine.Using a tablespoon, carefully shape the mixture into ~12 meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.Bake the meatballs until golden for ~22 minutes. Flip the meatballs during cooking to get a golden crust on all sides.While the meatballs are baking, make the chimichurri sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and garlic. Add a pinch of both salt and red pepper flakes. Blitz until it reaches your preferred consistency, chunky or smooth both work.To serve, drizzle the chimichurri all over the meatballs and enjoy warm.

20 ways to use avocado

Get inspired with twenty ways to use avocados, because I know you need to use up that entire bag of them you have in your kitchen right now.

Yes, guacamole and toast are the easiest ways to enjoy avocados, but there are more ways to use this buttery ingredient than you might first think. To show you, here’s a list of 20 ways to use up avocados.

Guacamole

Pineapple guacamole via Flourishing Foodie

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way, guacamole! Perhaps the best dip ever, and it’s easy to make. This version is fun take on the classic with fresh pineapple.

Avocado toast

Vegan avocado toast via Lazy Cat Kitchen

Avocado toast is practically overdone, but it’s so good so you can’t ever let it go. Plus it gets better as your avocado gets softer which they always inevitably do.

Baked eggs

Easy baked avocado & egg via Paleohacks

Eggs are good, but eggs baked in avocado halves is meant to be. It’s a fun hack for busy mornings.

Fries

Crispy garlic avocado fries via The Recipe Critic

Apparently you can turn pretty much every vegetable into a fry. Ideal.

5 layer dip

5 layer dip (with garlic white bean hummus) via A Little Gathering

Avocado is an essential component of a five layer dip. A 5 layer dip is such a good last minute party pleaser with the random things you can find in your fridge and pantry as well.

Dressing

5 minute avocado cilantro dressing via Pinch of Yum

Avocado dressing seems like it would be guacamole, but it’s nothing like it. With the help of additional fats like sour cream or yogurt and some acid like lemon or lime juice, it’s like avocado dressings are similar to crema but pourable.

Hummus

Avocado hummus with dukkah and toasted flatbread via Donna Hay

Creamy hummus is a perfect match with avocado. Whip this up for lunch or a perfect app with friends.

Smoothie

Avocado & almond butter smoothie via Tuulia

Strange, but true avocado and banana just works. Try them together in a smoothie with creamy almond butter and dates for sweetness.

Bread

Avocado bread via I Am a Food Blog

So instead of putting avocado on bread, you can put it IN bread. This one if kind of like a banana bread, with avocados instead.

Caprese salad

Avocado caprese salad via FoodieCrush

I normally wouldn’t mess with the perfection that is caprese, but sometimes avocados should get an invite to the party.

Wraps

Easy lunch wrap with sweet potato, hummus and greens via The Awesome Green

What’s better than avocado snuggled into a wrap? Think about mixing avocado with your favorite proteins or make it a vegetarian wrap with lots of colorful vegetables.

Chickpea salad

Avocado pesto chickpea salad sandwiches via Edible Perspective

For a plant-based alternative to tuna or chicken salad, try none other than smashed chickpea salad. Avocado can be made into the dressing just like mayo.

Salsa

Grilled garlic herb flank steak with avocado corn salsa via The Recipe Critic

Salsa isn’t just for tomatoes, because you can basically finely chop anything and call it salsa. And avocados are more than up for the starring role in salsa.

Chicken salad

Pesto chicken salad via A Little Gathering

The laziest way to enjoy avocado is to just use it as a literal bowl. I like using this method for chicken salad as well as chili. It’s the perfect little vessel and compliments most chicken salad recipes too.

Mac and cheese

White cheddar avocado mac and cheese via Life as a Strawberry

Creamy avocado makes itself at home in creamy mac and cheese. It’s almost like you can trick yourself that mac and cheese is good for you.

Grain bowl

Green goddess revitalization bowl with herbed buckwheat, avocado & microgreens via Blissful Basil

I mean…are you surprised to see this here? Avocado and grain bowls are kind of package deal.

Poke

Spicy ahi poke, avocado & rice “parfaitinis” via Two Red Bowls

Fatty avocado stands up against fatty fishes that are traditionally used for poke. You can create sushi bowls using nothing more than rice, fresh fish and plenty of avocado.

Fish

Brown sugar and chili-rubbed salmon with avocado crema via A Beautiful Plate

Crema is a creamy sauce usually made of sour cream and some sort of acid. Avocado fits right in, and the whole thing works perfectly with salmon.

Popsicles

Tropsicles via Jillian Harris

Yes! That’s right. Sweet popsicles can be made with avocado. Avocados can be put into smoothies, so why not a popsicle too?

Mousse

Avocado chocolate mousse with summer fruit via How Sweet Eats

Avocado and chocolate surprisingly makes a perfect chocolate mousse. Who would have guessed? This one is perfect for those that are dairy-free too.

Is your favorite way to enjoy avocados on this list? If not, let me know in the comments!

Now, do you have a jar of pesto still in your fridge? Explore 20 ways to enjoy pesto here next.

Brown butter rigatoni with butternut squash

I don’t need to convince you how wonderful brown butter is. Nutty and rich, it’s an affordable indulgence if I’ve ever seen one. It’s also really easy to make!

Here’s all you need: a pan, some butter, and a little bit of patience. It’s kind of like toasting nuts in the oven. One second they’re good, and the next they’re burnt if you don’t watch out for them. But! If you keep stirring melted butter, it becomes golden and turns into glorious, glorious brown butter. So worth it!

This is a perfect dish to make on a cold evening, with a crisp wine in hand. Butternut squash works well with the brown butter (um, duh), but this would be great with any winter squash or root vegetable.

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Brown butter sage rigatoni with roasted butternut squash

Ingredients

• 2 cups cubed butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Sprinkle of cloves
• Sprinkle of chili powder
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 lb. rigatoni pasta
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1 stem fresh sage
• Lemon
• Fresh parsley

Instructions

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.Toss the butternut squash cubes with olive oil, ground cloves, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Add a few pinches of salt and pepper.Roast the butternut squash in the oven for around 30 minutes until caramelized and softened.Meanwhile cook the rigatoni according to the instructions on the package. Before you drain the pasta, reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta water and set aside.Prepare the sauce by melting the butter. Add the sage. Let this cook on medium low heat until slightly nutty in color and smell. Watch this carefully to avoid burning! At this point remove the sage from the butter.To the sage butter, stir in the pasta water, the pasta and the roasted butternut squash. Finish the dish with a squeeze of lemon to brighten everything up and tons of fresh parsley.