Before you glaze over this article, this is a pasta you need to know. Just like every bachelor has a breakfast dish he can whip up, this is the kale pasta recipe that is essential for survival. At the very least when your hard-to-impress gourmands drop by.
The Dark Horse of Pastas
You may think this is a pesto pasta recipe, but instead, it’s so much better because it’s lighter. It also tastes decadent but it’s healthy and clean, as there’s just kale, olive oil, a hint of garlic, and fleur de sel in the sauce. What are not in there – which usually makes their way into pestos – are parmesan cheese and nuts. We’re not saying that these two ingredients aren’t good or healthy. However, they completely change the flavor profile and weight of the dish. When you’re making a summer pasta, or want to keep it vegan, this kale pasta recipe is the way to go.
Ingredients
16 ounces flour-based artisanal pasta
1 bunch Lacinato kale
2 cloves garlic
1 cup Extra Virgin olive oil
Fleur du sel for finishing
Sea salt for boiling
Parmesan cheese for serving
Directions
Bring a pot of heavily salted hot water to a boil. Add in your garlic cloves and boil for about 3 minutes. Add your kale to the boiling water and blanch for about one minute. With tongs, place the blanched kale in a bowl of ice water, and set the garlic aside.
While the water is still boiling add your pasta and cook according to the instructions, about 7-9 minutes for most flour-based pastas. The flour-based pasta versus egg pasta in our opinion, tastes better in this kale pasta recipe. However, you can always choose your own adventure. There is no right or wrong in your favorite pasta type and shape.
In a Vitamix or other powerful blender, blend the kale, olive oil, fleur de sel to taste, and garlic until it’s a smooth sauce. Set aside.
Once the pasta is cooked, lightly drain but reserve about one cup of the pasta water. Place the pasta back in the pot and add the kale sauce. If you would like to add some parmesan cheese place it on the side. Enjoy the best kale pasta recipe that will make you look like a hero in the kitchen.
