Recipe: Lemon Kale Pesto

Kale-Hemp Pesto RecipeRich and hearty Lemon Kale Pesto has a flavor that is perfect on everything from pasta to roasted veggies.

Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. In fact, per calorie, kale has more iron than beef!

Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.

Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and blood clotting.

Technically a nut, the hemp seeds in this unique recipe are very nutritious. They have a mild, nutty flavor and are often referred to as hemp hearts. Hemp seeds contain over 30% fat. They are exceptionally rich in two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3).

Hemp seeds are a great protein source, as more than 25% of their total calories are from high-quality protein, considerably more than similar foods like chia seeds and flaxseeds, which provide about 16–18%.

Try this cancer fighting pesto recipe with your next meal!

Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Yield: 1 cup

Active Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 bunch curly kale, thick stems removed
1/2 cup hemp seeds
2 cloves garlic
Large pinch sea salt
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Juice of 2 lemons
1/2 cup olive oil

Preparation

1. Place kale, hemp seeds, garlic, salt, Parmesan, and lemon juice in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.

2. Process until combined, then, with the machine running, drizzle in olive oil until mixture is totally smooth.

  1. 3. Cover and store in fridge for up to 5 days.

Credit: ThriveMarket