Oil-Free Pesto Bruschetta, Spread, Pasta, Pizza :)

I wanted to add check marks to my basic pesto (Practical Pesto), and the new version reminds me of a tasty bruschetta appetizer when I eat it this way, on a whole wheat cracker slice of toast top with tomato!

This version contains 5 Dr Greger Daily Dozen Check Marks when you include the grain on which it is served.

Oil-Free Pesto Bruschetta

2 cups packed kale, stems removed
1/4 c walnuts
1 T Italian seasoning (homemade Italian spice is tasty!)
1 T basil
2 T flaxseed, ground
2/3 c water
Whole wheat crackers or bread

Blend first 5 ingredients and half of the water in a food processor, then add a bit more water until you reach your desired consistency. Then add to crackers or toast, and top with tomato slices. Enjoy!

OTHER TASTY USES: 

• Pesto and tomato on whole wheat pasta
• Tomato Pesto Pizza
• Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

My son prefers the crackers with just the spread, no tomatoes. My younger daughter prefers a full slice of tomato (rather than halves as shown above). How do you and your family like it best?

Easiest Couscous Preparation!

Couscous must be the fastest grain to make, and now it's even faster! Try this:

Boil a kettle of water. Combine 1 part couscous and 1.5 parts boiling water IN your serving bowl, or for a single serving, in the bowl you will eat from! Cover with a plate, wait 3 minutes, and FLUFFY COUSCOUS!

Tomato Chickpea Pesto Salad

Whole Wheat Couscous Chickpea Pesto Salad

Tomato Chickpea Pesto Couscous Salad

1/2 c whole wheat couscous

3/4 c boiling water

1 fresh tomato, chopped (medium to large tomato)

3/4 c chickpeas, (canned is convenient, dried are better -- I made a bunch yesterday!)

~2 Tbsp pesto (I used this leftover from this recipe)

Prepare couscous as described above, chop tomatoes while you wait, mix everything together, and enjoy!

Can't go wrong with beans and fresh tomatoes!

Couscous with no pan!

Cut tomatoes with my ceramic knife -- mine is from Victorian, and I love it; here are others

Fresh pesto is delightful, easy, and cheap!

Viola!

COMMENTS: This was so good that I ate my bowl right up, probably too fast, and then proceeded to make a whole new bowl, and finish it too! That's how FAST AND YUMMY it is! What are your favorite quickest meals to make?

Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

After devouring the leftovers that my mom shared with me, from a delightful lunch she'd just been to, I created THIS recipe!

Mine is certainly a much healthier pasta salad, and still very tasty!

Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

2 c celery, chopped (most of a bunch of celery), include the leaves in the middle!

1/2 c garbanzo beans (used to be a cheese stick, but we don't eat cheese any more)

1 red apple, chopped

1 c walnuts, broken up pieces or whole

1/2 c freeze dried cranberries or raisins, unsweetened (Whole Foods carries cranberries), OR 1/4 c Craisins (I prefer less because of the sugar), OR while I haven't, you could try fresh berries and/or grapes! 

1 jar pesto (or this EASY HOMEMADE PESTO!)

1 box pasta, whole wheat, prepared

While pasta is cooking, chop other ingredients.

Drain pasta and mix in all ingredients.

Chill for a while, and enjoy!

This salad is great for hot days, picnics, and parties!

It is also surprisingly yummy when quickly heated in the microwave :)

BONUS TIP #1: avoid rinsing cooked pasta to retain vitamins which are otherwise washed away!

BONUS TIP #2: re-heat only as much food as you think you'll need, since foods should only be reheated ONE TIME (FOOD SAFETY!).  Single serving dishes are also great because they heat through quickly.  

For more on FOOD SAFETY click on either of the links Some Like It Hot! or We Gotta Chill!

COMING SOON: Benefits of Cranberries