Kale and Broccoli Crepe Recipe

My sister-in-law Lya had a sleepover with her girlfriends here last weekend. They had to wake up very early the following day to participate in The Color Run™ 5k paint race event. I promised I'd give them a large breakfast so they'd have enough energy. I served them sweet potato tarte amandine (check out the photo on Facebook), thumbprint cookies and crepes. I prepared plenty of crêpe batter the night before so I was able to use the rest for lunch and create light, savory crepes. I filled them with a cheesy mascarpone sauce, sautéed kale and broccoli.

Don't be fooled by the abundance of greens; this healthy, savory crêpe is very flavorful and filling. The, creamy sauce will keep you full until it's time for the next meal. 

Kale Pesto Pasta Recipe

If you're looking for a vibrantly green dish to serve this St. Patrick’s Day, this kale cashew pesto fits the bill. To the kale I added Greek Myzithra cheese (unpasteurized sheep cheese) and cashew nuts. Pesto is a very versatile sauce that provides as much flexibility as it does flavor. You just have to keep in mind 3 main elements: greens, nuts and hard cheese.

The inspiration for this pesto came from Gary, a PhamFatale.com reader. Gary had sent me an email for guidance about a sauce for ravioli he had purchased at my favorite local market, The Milk Pail in Mountain View (by the way, if you live in the Bay Area, don't hesitate to shop there and show your support!). Gary bought the Milk Pail's specialty Thai Curry ravioli and didn't know what sauce to serve on the pasta. At his house, no one's keen on a milk-based sauce so he was looking for something with less milk or cream. I suggested a pesto made of flat-leaf parsley, Thai Curry cheddar cheese (using the same kind of cheese as in the ravioli filling) and peanuts. I'll post the recipe soon. Gary's family tried the pesto ravioli over the weekend and it got two thumbs up. Yay! 

Mary Garrigan from Rapid City Journal published a couple of St. Patrick’s Day-friendly recipes from my first book, Haute Potato. Check them out if you’re still in search of St. Patrick’s Day recipes!

Masala Kale Chips Recipe

Here's a recipe for an inexpensive, super easy and delicious snack. My husband Lulu and I usually love munching on snacks late in the evening and kale chips are a great way to do so guilt-free.

Kale chips are nutritious and low in calories with fewer than 50 calories per serving. I flavored the chips with Indian spices and Meyer lemon zest. You can find a similar recipe in my latest book, Haute Potato, made with waffle potato chips instead.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Raw Kale Salad Recipe

I made a crisp, raw kale salad with roasted butternut squash, toasted pine nuts and crumbled gorgonzola. It’s a one-dish meal you can make in large batches, pack in tupperware and eat when you're on-the-go. 

I flavored the salad with a yogurt dressing and a touch of gorgonzola for extra flavor. The health-conscious can omit the cheese, of course.

Kale Potato Salad Recipe

Since the girls are on summer break, they've asked to join me in my morning workouts. After our workout is done, I put them to work helping me make lunch. A refreshing smoothie at the end of a jog is all the incentive they need!

Cooking with kids is a great way to instill healthy eating habits. Today we prepared an iron-filled potato and kale salad. We also added sugar snap peas, asparagus, tomatoes and a little cheese.