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Avocado Pesto Pasta with Purple Cabbage Steaks

Summer is a tricky time for meal prepping. The heat not only makes it harder to cook but also to enjoy the usual hot, steamy food. Here's an easy bowl that takes minimum effort and time to prepare and the popping colors and refreshing flavors would for sure win over anyone's dwindling appetite as the weather warms up.


It doesn't get much easier than this meal. Simply slice the purple cabbage into "steaks", brush on some seasonings then oven-roast till the edges are crispy, while the leaves inside are still soft and tender. The smoky seasonings really bring out the natural sweetness of the cabbages. As for the pesto, that's even easier! Just throw all the sauce ingredients together and pulse away, no heat needed.


Here are more easy, healthy, and light pasta recipes you gotta try this season! Butternut Squash Kimchi Mac n' Cheese, Vegan Meatballs and Zucchini Spaghetti, and Veggie Lasagna with Lentil Bolognese and Tofu Ricotta.

INGREDIENTS:

1 purple cabbage
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon tamari/soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon coconut amino
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For Avocado Pesto -
1 ripe avocado
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup walnut
3 cloves garlic
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt to taste


TO MAKE:

- Preheat the oven to 395°F;
- Cook the pasta according to the package instruction, rinse under cold water, set aside;
- Wash and cut the cabbage into 3/4 inch thick slices, transfer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper;
- In a bowl, whisk together all the rest of the ingredients, brush the sauce onto the cabbage steaks on both sides, roast in the oven for about 25 minutes till the edges are browned and the centers are soft;
- Meanwhile, add all pesto ingredients in a food processor, pulse till you reach your preferred texture, I like to leave some texture;
- Pour pesto into the pasta and stir to combine;
- Serve cabbage steaks on top of the pasta, enjoy!

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