Kale Pesto Stuffed Portobellos with Tomatoes

I'm really into making my own pesto these days. I can use a very small amount of oil and save a lot of calories... and I can use things like asparagus and spinach to make the pesto too!

portobello mushroom caps, stems removed/washed
1-2 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

For pesto:

a bunch of kale (half of one of those big bags)
fresh basil
1/3 c shredded Parmesan

1/4 c pine nuts

2 tsp minced garlic

salt/pepper

olive oil

To make pesto: In a food processor, add all ingredients except olive oil. Pulse and stir if necessary until smooth. Add in the olive oil slowly through the top of food processor while it's spinning. Use as much as you like. I try to keep mine to a minimum.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake mushrooms, cap down, for about 5 minutes. Then, stuff them with the kale pesto, lay the tomato slices on top, then sprinkle some mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is browned.

Kale Slaw with Peanut Dressing

This is one of those recipes where I wish Will could tell you how awesome it is. I made a HUGE bowl of this stuff. He ate the entire thing, except for my bowl I had with dinner. I am going to have to make this pretty frequently... I can tell.

2 large bunches curly kale, center ribs discarded, very thinly sliced crosswise (about 10 cups)
1 yellow, orange, or red bell pepper
2 carrots, thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/4 c cider vinegar
1/4 c salted peanuts
2 tbsp packed light-brown sugar
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/4 c salted peanuts

Toss 2 large bunches curly kale, center ribs discarded, very thinly sliced crosswise (about 10 cups); 1 bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, halved crosswise and thinly sliced lengthwise; and 2 carrots, thinly sliced crosswise, in a large bowl. I used matchstick carrots & pulsed a few seconds in the food processor.

Puree 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, 1/4 cup salted peanuts, 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt in a blender until smooth. Pour dressing over vegetables just before serving. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped.

Original recipe found here.

Ginger Beef, Mushroom, & Kale Stir-Fry

I wish Will would write about how much he loved this dish, because I can't describe it. It was amazing! Very easy too. MUST MAKE!

Marinade:

• 1/3 c light soy sauce
• 1/2 c vegetable broth
• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Stir-Fry:

• 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin, cut diagonally across the grain into thin strips
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz baby portobello or button mushrooms, halved
• 3 c chopped kale
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

To make marinade: Add all marinade ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour marinade into a large bowl or ziplock bag, then add in the steak and gently toss to combine. Cover/seal and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

To make the stir-fry: 

Once steak has marinated, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade with a slotted spoon, reserving the marinade, and add to saute pan with garlic. Saute for about 2-3 minutes until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove steak with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add mushrooms, kale, and reserved marinade to saute pan, and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the kale is wilted, the sauce has thickened, and the mushrooms have cooked, stirring regularly so that sauce does not burn. Add in the steak, and toss to combine.

Serve immediately over rice or quinoa, garnished with chopped green onions.

Original recipe found here.

I made this with brown rice, honey roasted carrots, and roasted Parm asparagus.