Kale-Basil Pesto: Surprisingly Delicious

I have a love/hate relationship with kale. I love how good it is for me, but I hate the way it tastes. Thus, I only eat it in forms that completely mask its natural flavor. My newest discovery is kale-basil pesto. All the deliciousness of pesto packed with the nutritional punch of kale. I tweaked a recipe I found on Whole Foods' website for spinach-basil pesto which substituted kale for spinach and walnuts for pine nuts (a cheaper alternative), but assumedly the original recipe would be delicious as well.

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 cups fresh kale leaves
1 cup toasted walnuts
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon lemon juice

S&P to taste

Directions

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill until ready to serve.

After I mixed the pesto with parpadella, I squeezed some extra lemon on top. I just love pasta with lemon.

Postcard From Maine: I Want To Go Back To There

Well, I'm back from a relaxing but much too short trip up north to Maine. As usual, I found that there wasn't enough vacation in my vacation. James and I just love exploring new places and Maine is, of course, full of wonderful parks and towns to visit.

This was a little deserted beach we found in Sebago Lake State Park. It almost felt like being on some tropical desert island, apart from the cold water and jet skiers nearby.

Then it was on to Two Lights State Park to take in the ocean air.

Despite several previous visits to the Lobster Shack in Two Lights, we had never explored the trails before. What a treat. The views were breathtaking...

 The trails were lovely as well. It almost reminded me of the grounds of an English country estate. 

This is as outdoorsy as I get.

There were these gorgeous stone staircases all over the park.

I may have gone a little overboard.

Towards the end of our trip we met up with some friends in Portland for the night and went on a tour of Shipyard Brewery. Despite my beer-snob friend Kevin's lament ("You're going to that brewery?") it was actually pretty fun and they are not stingy with the beer tasting.

Alicia and James learning about beer. Thrilling.

 It's coming...Pumpkinhead is COMING.

Sniffing the hops!

 We also may have gone a little overboard in the gift shop...

I then found my new favorite lobster roll at dinner courtesy of the Portland Lobster Co. Of course, as is the hallmark of all good vacations, we spent the rest of the evening talking about how we should all move to Portland and how great our lives would be if we did. Just imagine: Beer and lobster for everyone!

Postcard From Mid-Cape

Last weekend James and I made the trip up to the Cape to pay Grandpa Sullivan a long overdue visit. He moved to Centerville about six years ago after marrying his lovely wife Fran and it's been nice getting to know the area. 

One of my favorite places is right down the road from their house, Four Seas Ice Cream. In addition to the standard offerings, they offer a bunch of unusual flavors. The last couple times I've wanted to try something called lemon crisp, but it's always sold out. Last time I ended up with frozen pudding (yum!) and this time it was fresh peach which was, of course, delicious.

My grandpa is kind of a big deal within the world of American political memorabilia and he gave us a little peak at some of his most prized possessions.

Grandpa's American commie buttons!

Since I grew up on PBS dramas, the Gorey house is one of my favorite tourist spots on the Cape, but sadly it was closed. It's just as well since their gift shop would have put a major dent in my wallet. 

A trip to the Cape wouldn't be complete without a plate of seafood from Osterville Fish Too. They had oysters on special that night!

All in all, it was a great mini vacation and I told my grandpa I was really glad he never retired to Florida.

Now it's time for a real vacation up North. Back in a few weeks!