Wholewheat Pasta with Kale and Walnut Pesto

Kale makes a pesto that is greener and more robust than basil, but raw it can taste bitter. Blanch it for one minute in the pasta water first; it turns bright, soft and sweet, and it costs you no extra pan.

Dinner

Serves 2

Wholewheat spaghetti tossed in green kale and walnut pesto with halved cherry tomatoes and grated cheese in a bowl

Ingredients

160g/6oz wholewheat spaghetti or other wholewheat pasta
120g/4oz kale, tough stems removed
30g/1oz/¼ cup walnuts, toasted
1 small clove garlic
20g/¾oz Italian-style vegetarian hard cheese (or Parmesan if you are not vegetarian), finely grated, plus extra to serve
1.5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
The juice of half a lemon
150g/5oz cherry tomatoes, halved
A pinch of chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)

Method

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Drop in the kale for one minute, lift it out with tongs into a sieve, and run it under the cold tap. Squeeze out as much water as you can. Keep the water boiling for the pasta.
Cook the pasta according to the packet, usually 10 to 12 minutes for wholewheat.
Meanwhile, blitz the kale, walnuts, garlic, cheese, lemon juice and olive oil in a small food processor until you have a thick, slightly rough paste. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the pasta water to loosen it.
Warm the tomatoes in a dry frying pan over a high heat for 3 minutes, until they start to blister and soften.
Before draining the pasta, save a mugful of the cooking water. Drain, return the pasta to the pan off the heat, add the pesto and a splash of the saved water and toss until every strand is coated and glossy. The starch in the water turns the pesto into a sauce.
Serve with the tomatoes, a pinch of chilli flakes and a little more cheese. If you make the pesto ahead, it keeps for three days in the fridge with a thin layer of oil on top.

Why it works

Swapping white pasta for wholewheat is one of the simplest upgrades there is. Wholewheat pasta has roughly two to three times the fibre of white, and together with the kale, a bowl of this carries about 10g, a third of the day's 30g. Cooked until just al dente, it releases its sugar slowly, although at about 57g of carbohydrate a bowl it is not tagged for blood sugar.

The pesto is where the rest of the goodness is. Walnuts are the richest nut source of ALA, the plant omega-3, and trials of eating walnuts every day have found small falls in LDL cholesterol. Extra-virgin olive oil is the backbone of the Mediterranean diet, the eating pattern with the strongest evidence for heart health, which becomes the priority for women after menopause: menopause and heart health.

Kale brings calcium, vitamin K and vitamin C. The quick blanch is not only about taste: it also shrinks a whole bag of raw leaves into a pesto you can actually eat in one sitting.

Vegetarians should check the cheese. Parmesan is made with animal rennet, so it is not vegetarian by definition; a vegetarian hard cheese works just as well here.

The honest note: this is a generous bowl at about 560 calories, and at 19g it is modest on protein. For more, stir in a tin of drained white beans with the pesto, or top it with grilled chicken or prawns. For a quicker, higher-protein dinner, see the garlic prawn and spinach stir-fry.

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chestnut mushrooms, olive oil, garlic, thyme, spinach, oat cream, lemon juice, sourdough, avocado

Thick slices of toasted sourdough piled with creamy garlic mushrooms and wilted spinach, with slices of avocado on a white plate

vegan-banana-oat-pancakes-berries

Vegan Banana Oat Pancakes with Berries

Breakfast

banana, rolled oats, plain flour, baking powder, soya milk, vanilla, cinnamon, rapeseed oil, raspberries, blueberries, maple syrup

A tall stack of fluffy golden pancakes topped with raspberries and a drizzle of maple syrup, with blueberries on the plate and a bowl of berries behind

chunky-guacamole-baked-pitta-chips

Chunky Guacamole with Baked Pitta Chips

Snack

avocados, tomatoes, red onion, green chilli, coriander, lime, wholemeal pitta, olive oil

A small white cup of chunky guacamole with a golden toasted pitta chip dipped in it, garnished with coriander, beside cherry tomatoes and halved avocados

chicken-souvlaki-skewers-red-cabbage-salad

Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Red Cabbage and Tomato Salad

Dinner

chicken breast, olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, red cabbage, red onion, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, parsley

Grilled chicken souvlaki skewers on a plate with a crunchy salad of shredded red cabbage, red onion and tomato, carrot strips and celery leaves

creamy-lemon-garlic-prawn-tagliatelle

Creamy Lemon Garlic Prawn Tagliatelle

Dinner

tagliatelle, king prawns, olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes, half-fat creme fraiche, lemon, parmesan, parsley

A plate of tagliatelle in a light creamy lemon garlic sauce topped with pink prawns, chopped parsley and grated Parmesan

chicken-spinach-courgette-salad-feta-olives

Chicken, Spinach and Courgette Salad with Feta, Olives and Almonds

Lunch

chicken breast, olive oil, courgette, spinach, cherry tomatoes, black olives, feta, flaked almonds, oregano, lemon, dijon mustard, honey

A bowl of baby spinach salad with sliced chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, courgette, black olives, cubes of feta and flaked almonds, drizzled with a mustard dressing

black-bean-sweetcorn-quesadillas-salsa

Black Bean and Sweetcorn Quesadillas with Salsa

Lunch

wholemeal tortillas, black beans, sweetcorn, red onion, red pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, chilli powder, reduced-fat cheddar, tomatoes, lime, coriander, greek yogurt, olive oil

Golden wholemeal quesadilla wedges stacked on a slate board with a spiced black bean filling, fresh coriander, a bowl of tomato salsa and a pot of yogurt dip

fried-eggs-rye-soft-cheese-pea-shoots

Fried Eggs on Rye with Soft Cheese and Pea Shoots

Breakfast

eggs, rye bread, light soft cheese, olive oil, pea shoots, black pepper, chilli flakes

Two sunny-side-up fried eggs with golden runny yolks and cracked black pepper on dark rye toast spread with soft cheese and pea shoots

ricotta-cherry-tomato-bruschetta

Ricotta and Cherry Tomato Bruschetta with Basil

Snack

sourdough, garlic, ricotta, lemon, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, basil

Toasted bread spread with creamy ricotta and topped with quartered cherry tomatoes and chopped basil, with olive oil, lemon and basil leaves

stuffed-aubergines-lentils-feta

Stuffed Aubergines with Lentils, Tomato and Feta

Dinner

aubergines, olive oil, onion, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, green lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, tomatoes, feta, parsley

Baked aubergine halves filled with a spiced tomato and lentil mixture, topped with tomato slices, golden crumbled feta and fresh parsley

beef-broccoli-stir-fry-rice

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Rice

Dinner

brown rice, beef steak, cornflour, oil, broccoli, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil

A plate of tender sliced beef and broccoli florets in a glossy savoury sauce served beside white rice, with chopsticks

sesame-seared-tuna-salad-egg

Sesame-Crusted Seared Tuna Salad with Egg and Ginger Dressing

Lunch

tuna steaks, sesame seeds, rapeseed oil, eggs, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, tamari, sesame oil, lemon, honey, ginger

Slices of sesame-crusted seared tuna with pink centres on a salad of lettuce, cherry tomatoes and halved boiled eggs with a ginger dressing

asian-chicken-lettuce-wraps

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Water Chestnuts

Lunch

chicken mince, rapeseed oil, garlic, ginger, carrots, water chestnuts, spring onions, lettuce, peanuts, chives, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil

A romaine lettuce leaf filled with savoury minced chicken next to a second wrap topped with chopped peanuts and chives, on a metal plate

mediterranean-vegetable-frittata-spinach-feta

Mediterranean Vegetable Frittata with Spinach, Peppers and Feta

Breakfast

eggs, olive oil, red onion, red pepper, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, parsley

A golden vegetable frittata with spinach and crumbled white cheese in a cast iron pan, with one slice on a white plate

caprese-skewers-basil-pesto

Caprese Skewers with Basil Pesto

Snack

cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, pine nuts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic

Skewers of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil leaves drizzled with green pesto on a dark tray, with toasted bread beside them

turkish-chicken-casserole-mushrooms-peppers

Turkish Chicken Casserole with Mushrooms and Peppers (Tavuk Güveç)

Dinner

chicken thighs, olive oil, onion, garlic, mushrooms, red pepper, yellow pepper, green pepper, tomatoes, tomato puree, paprika, thyme, pul biber, chicken stock, parsley

A terracotta dish of chicken pieces cooked with mushrooms, red and yellow peppers and green chilli, on a patterned Turkish plate

chana-masala-chickpea-curry-rice

Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry) with Basmati Rice

Dinner

brown basmati rice, oil, cumin, onion, garlic, ginger, green chilli, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, chickpeas, garam masala, lemon juice

A blue plate of chana masala, chickpeas in a spiced tomato and onion sauce, with basmati rice and fresh chopped herbs

vietnamese-rice-paper-rolls-prawns

Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls with Prawns and Hoisin Peanut Dip

Lunch

rice paper, rice noodles, prawns, carrots, red pepper, cucumber, avocado, lettuce, mint, coriander, hoisin, peanut butter, lime

Fresh Vietnamese rice paper rolls cut in half to show prawns, rice noodles, avocado, carrot, red pepper and herbs, with a small bowl of dipping sauce

grilled-chicken-salad-avocado-apple

Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado, Apple and Yogurt Dressing

Lunch

chicken breast, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salad leaves, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, apple, avocado, sugar snap peas, greek yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon, honey

A blue bowl of salad with sliced grilled chicken drizzled with creamy dressing, avocado, apple slices, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and green leaves

avocado-toast-jammy-egg-walnuts

Avocado Toast with Jammy Egg, Walnuts and Chilli

Breakfast

sourdough, avocado, lemon juice, eggs, walnuts, parsley, chilli flakes

Smashed avocado on toasted sourdough topped with a halved soft-boiled egg, chopped walnuts, fresh parsley and chilli flakes

devilled-eggs-greek-yogurt-paprika

Devilled Eggs with Greek Yogurt and Paprika

Snack

eggs, greek yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, dill, spring onion

Devilled egg halves with a creamy yolk filling, dusted with paprika and dried herbs and topped with sliced spring onions, in two white dishes

japanese-ginger-pork-shogayaki-cabbage

Japanese Ginger Pork (Shogayaki) with Shredded Cabbage and Rice

Dinner

brown rice, pork loin, cornflour, oil, onion, cabbage, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, spring onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin

Sliced pan-fried pork in a glossy ginger sauce with a mound of finely shredded cabbage on a white plate, with a bowl of soup beside it

chicken-massaman-curry-potatoes-carrots

Chicken Massaman Curry with Potatoes and Carrots

Dinner

jasmine rice, chicken thighs, oil, onion, massaman curry paste, coconut milk, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, fish sauce, tamarind, brown sugar, peanuts, lime, coriander

A bowl of white jasmine rice topped with massaman curry of potatoes and carrots, peanuts, coriander leaves and lime wedges

spicy-pork-ramen-soft-boiled-egg

Spicy Pork Ramen with Soft-Boiled Egg and Bamboo Shoots

Lunch

pork tenderloin, oil, eggs, ramen noodles, pak choi, bamboo shoots, spring onions, chicken stock, miso, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic, ginger, sesame oil

A bowl of spicy orange ramen broth with a halved soft-boiled egg, sliced pork, bamboo shoots and red chilli threads

thai-basil-chicken-pad-krapow-green-beans

Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow) with Green Beans

Lunch

brown rice, chicken thighs, green beans, garlic, shallot, chillies, basil, oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar

A white bowl of Thai basil chicken stir-fry with green beans, basil leaves, fresh red chilli and whole dried chillies

protein-french-toast-berries-greek-yogurt

Protein French Toast with Berries and Greek Yogurt

Breakfast

wholemeal bread, eggs, egg whites, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, rapeseed oil, greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, honey

A thick slice of golden French toast topped with Greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, flaked almonds and a drizzle of honey

tofu-pad-thai-vegetables

Tofu Pad Thai with Vegetables

Dinner

tamari, tamarind, brown sugar, lime, rice noodles, tofu, oil, garlic, carrots, eggs, beansprouts, spring onions, peanuts, coriander

A plate of pad thai rice noodles with golden tofu, egg, beansprouts, carrot and spring onions, topped with peanuts, coriander and lime

prawn-vegetable-paella

Prawn (Shrimp) and Vegetable Paella

Dinner

olive oil, onion, red pepper, garlic, tomatoes, smoked paprika, saffron, paella rice, stock, green beans, peas, prawns, lemon, parsley

A wide paella pan of golden saffron rice with king prawns, red pepper, green beans, peas, lemon wedges and parsley

chicken-cacciatore-peppers-olives

Chicken Cacciatore with Peppers and Olives

Dinner

chicken thighs, olive oil, onion, red peppers, mushrooms, garlic, oregano, rosemary, red wine vinegar, chicken stock, tomatoes, tomato puree, olives, parsley

A pan of chicken thighs braised in tomato sauce with red peppers, mushrooms, black olives and fresh parsley

baked-fish-tacos-lime-slaw

Baked Fish Tacos with Lime Cabbage Slaw

Lunch

white fish, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, chilli powder, olive oil, red cabbage, carrots, greek yogurt, lime, coriander, corn tortillas, avocado

Corn tortillas filled with spiced baked white fish, purple cabbage slaw, avocado and coriander, with lime wedges

greek-salad-chickpeas-feta

Greek Salad with Chickpeas and Feta

Lunch

tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, green pepper, chickpeas, olives, feta, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano

A bowl of Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, green pepper, olives, chickpeas and a slab of feta sprinkled with oregano

buckwheat-galettes-egg-spinach-mushrooms

Buckwheat Galettes with Egg, Spinach and Mushrooms

Breakfast

buckwheat flour, eggs, mushrooms, garlic, spinach, emmental, olive oil

A thin folded buckwheat galette with a fried egg in the centre, wilted spinach, mushrooms and melted cheese

crispy-baked-kale-chips

Crispy Baked Kale Chips

Snack

kale, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, nutritional yeast

A bowl of crispy baked curly kale chips seasoned with smoked paprika

salmon-cakes-lemon-yogurt-dip

Salmon Cakes with Lemon Yogurt Dip and Green Salad

Dinner

potatoes, tinned salmon, spring onions, dill, lemon, mustard, eggs, breadcrumbs, olive oil, greek yogurt, salad leaves, cucumber

Golden baked salmon cakes on a plate with green salad leaves, cucumber, a lemon wedge and a bowl of yogurt dip

baked-ratatouille-chickpeas

Baked Ratatouille with Chickpeas

Dinner

aubergine, courgettes, peppers, red onion, olive oil, herbes de provence, garlic, tomatoes, tomato puree, chickpeas, basil

A baking dish of roasted aubergine, courgette, peppers and red onion in tomato sauce with chickpeas and fresh basil

sheet-pan-chicken-fajitas

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas with Peppers and Onions

Dinner

chicken, peppers, red onion, olive oil, chilli powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, lime, wholemeal tortillas, avocado, greek yogurt, coriander

A baking tray of spiced chicken strips with sliced red, yellow and green peppers and red onion, with tortillas on the side