Pasta - Sauce - Kale and Sunflower Seed Pesto for Cheese Ravioli

By BlueSchmoo

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 pounds Cheese ravioli
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups chopped kale leaves
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from cooksillustrated.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add garlic to water and cook for 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer garlic to bowl and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Peel and mince garlic.

2. Add ravioli and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain ravioli and return to pot.

3. Pulse garlic, kale, basil, Parmesan, sunflower seeds, and red pepper flakes in food processor until finely ground, 20 to 30 pulses, scraping down bowl as needed. With processor running, slowly add oil until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Add 1 cup pesto to ravioli and gently toss to combine, adding 1 tablespoon cooking water at a time, as needed, to adjust consistency. Serve, passing remaining pesto separately.