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The Tiny Italian

Pasta, Gnocchi & Polenta / Recipes / Vegetarian

A delicious celery leaf pesto, chard and chickpea pasta

I love celery leaves. They are magnificent. They can be cooked in so many ways. Perfect to flavour soups and stews,; add to salads; it’s a fabulous alternative to parsley. But a celery leaf pesto is just a great alternative to its Genovese basil sauce friend.

Have you ever smelt a large bouquet of celery with its bush of leaves on top? They have a strong aroma and bitter taste but combined with oily nuts and salty parmesan it’s a great combination of flavours. It’s a fantastic alternative to the sweet leaf basil which has become one of the nations favourite pasta sauces.

The bitterness of the celrey leaves, is combined with the sweeter chard alongside earthy chickpeas to balance out the flavous. Plus the lemon zest at the end really brightens it. A relatively quick and simple pasta recipe to add to your mid-week dinners. It’s full of goodness, packed with a heap of flavour and has lots of different textures to enjoy. Go on, give this celery leaf pesto recipe ago with this fabulous vegetarian pasta dish. You won’t regret it.

Would love to know what you guys think. Comment below or email paola@thetinyitalain.com

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Celery leaf pesto chard and chickpea pasta (serves 2/3)

  • 30g celery leaves, without the stem

  • 10g pine nuts

  • 10g toasted flaked almonds

  • 2 garlic clove, peeled ( 1 whole, 1 finely sliced)

  • 100ml extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan

  • Olive oil

  • 2 shallots, finely sliced

  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped

  • 1 tin (400g) of chickpeas , drained

  • 200g chard, leaves and stalks separated.

  • 250g pasta (tagliatelli or linguine)

  • Lemon

  • Sea salt

If you would like to watch the full recipe video, head here to my youtube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe.

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Steps

  • First, make the pesto. In a food processor, add the pine nuts, almonds, 1 whole garlic clove and celery leaves. Pulse it until everything is roughly chopped up. Not too fine.
  • Next pour in the 100ml extra virgin olive oil while pulsing to make sure that the sauce is emulsified together.
  • Then pour the sauce into a bowl. Add the parmesan. Stir well and taste. Season with salt as needed. Set aside.
  • Next, drizzle 2 tbsp of olive oil into a large frying pan. On a low heat, fry the sliced garlic, shallot and celery. Add a pinch of salt. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
  • Next add the chickpeas, and chard stalks. Give it a stir and cover the pan with a lid and cook for 5 minutes
  • In the meantime, bring a pan of water to the boil, season it with plenty of salt and cook your pasta as instructed on the packet.
  • Collect some starchy pasta water with a mug, 2 minutes before the pasta has finished cooking. Then add the chard leaves to the pan with 2 tbsp of pasta water. Cover the pan again with the lid.
  • When the pasta has cooked, drain, and add to the chickpea and chard. Give it a good stir. Remove off the heat.
  • Finally, pour the celery pesto on top and stir everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce and vegetables. Serve with grated lemon zest. Serve immediately.

Tips

  1. It’s important to pulse and not continually blitz the ingredients. Blitzing will create heat and impact the flavour of your ingredients.
  2. Make sure you pour in the olive oil in slowly to help emulsify all the ingredients together rather than pour it in all one go.
  3. Makes sure you add parmesan in before seasoning it. Parmesan is already salty so you may not need much salt. Rock salt is better here rather than fine salt as it’s milder in flavour.
  4. Make sure you add a pinch of salt to the vegetables to help draw out any excess water and help give the ingredients more flavour.
  5. No tip
  6. Make sure the pan is seasoned with plenty of salt to help flavour the pasta. Dip a teaspoon into the water and taste. It must be as salty as the sea. It’s approximately 6g of salt to 1 litre of water.
  7. The pasta water will not only help cook the chard leaves but will emulsify with the flavoured olive oil to create a light silky sauce
  8. No tip
  9. Add some pasta water to the pesto to loosen it up (if needed) and help coat the pasta.
TAGS:celery leaf pestocelery pestochardchickpeaschickpeas pastapasta recipevegetarian pastavegetarian recipe
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The Tiny Italian

Ciao, I’m Paola I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert cook and teacher. I teach people to not only cook but teach them how to LOVE TO COOK. I help change peoples mindset by showing them that cooking is not only for 'FOODIES' and sharing the fun, stress-free side with recipes, tips and cooking experiences.

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Ciao, I’m Paola
Ciao, I’m Paola

Ciao, I’m Paola

I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert, cook and teacher. Cooking doesn't come easy to everyone. However, I help you LEARN to LOVE to cook and eat better with EASY SEXY HEALTHY Italian RECIPES. Plus TIPS and HACKS to build your kitchen CONFIDENCE. Come cook with me at one of my fun stress free cooking classes or courses. It’s all about helping others BELIEVE IN THEIR OWN SAUCE!

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Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts.
So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections.
The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life.
Love should always come first.
Paola ❤️
#eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
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Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts. So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections. The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life. Love should always come first. Paola ❤️ #eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
1 day ago
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SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. 
This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. 
It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day.  You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients:
Peas
Spinach
Leeks
Pancetta
Gnocchi 
Lemon
Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese)
Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. 
Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I  only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. 
Anywhere enjoy guys. 
Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. 
#easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day. You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients: Peas Spinach Leeks Pancetta Gnocchi Lemon Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese) Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. Anywhere enjoy guys. Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. #easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
3 days ago
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@thetinyitalian

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Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts.
So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections.
The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life.
Love should always come first.
Paola ❤️
#eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts. So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections. The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life. Love should always come first. Paola ❤️ #eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. 
This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. 
It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day.  You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients:
Peas
Spinach
Leeks
Pancetta
Gnocchi 
Lemon
Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese)
Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. 
Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I  only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. 
Anywhere enjoy guys. 
Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. 
#easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day. You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients: Peas Spinach Leeks Pancetta Gnocchi Lemon Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese) Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. Anywhere enjoy guys. Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. #easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
3 days ago
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2/5
Cooking can calm your mind.
However for some cooking can be so stressful and l may actively avoid it as it feels too much to do after a long busy day.
However over the years I have practised fun mindful cooking. Yes I did say Fun. 😂💃🏻
It takes time but it’s all about changing your mindset and attitude when it comes to cooking. Plus there are some practises that can help to calm your mind down and reduce the stress cooking can cause you. 
Instead of feeling like a chore it can help you  relax after a long busy day. It can help you focus on something else and forget about everything you have had to deal with that day. Plus you get to reward yourself with a delicious meal cooked with love. It’s the best feeling after a crazy busy day.
Working on something fun and helpful for you, but if you currently find cooking difficult or stressful would you mind sharing in the comment lor Dm me what is the main thing that makes it difficult for you. And I’ll take that into consideration when putting my new project together.
We will get this nation with love and your input will help make that change. 
#selfcaretip #cookinglove #mindfulcooking #selfcarecooking #wellnesslifestyle #busymomlife #businessownerlife #eatbetterfeelbetter #cookwithlove #cookingteacher #selfcareeveryday #selfcarehacks #selflovematters #mindfulnessmatters
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
Cooking can calm your mind. However for some cooking can be so stressful and l may actively avoid it as it feels too much to do after a long busy day. However over the years I have practised fun mindful cooking. Yes I did say Fun. 😂💃🏻 It takes time but it’s all about changing your mindset and attitude when it comes to cooking. Plus there are some practises that can help to calm your mind down and reduce the stress cooking can cause you. Instead of feeling like a chore it can help you relax after a long busy day. It can help you focus on something else and forget about everything you have had to deal with that day. Plus you get to reward yourself with a delicious meal cooked with love. It’s the best feeling after a crazy busy day. Working on something fun and helpful for you, but if you currently find cooking difficult or stressful would you mind sharing in the comment lor Dm me what is the main thing that makes it difficult for you. And I’ll take that into consideration when putting my new project together. We will get this nation with love and your input will help make that change. #selfcaretip #cookinglove #mindfulcooking #selfcarecooking #wellnesslifestyle #busymomlife #businessownerlife #eatbetterfeelbetter #cookwithlove #cookingteacher #selfcareeveryday #selfcarehacks #selflovematters #mindfulnessmatters
4 days ago
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LETS GET THE NATION COOKING WITH LOVE. 
My mission is to help this nation of busy people to slow down where possible. Help transform their cooking relationship so that they can embrace the joys of mindful  home cooking as an easy accessible fun source of self care.
From personal experience when you’re busy running your own business or your job is a priority for you it can be difficult to make time for yourself.  Whatever your body and mind needs.
Unfortunately that doesn’t get you anywhere good. You just get into a deeper hole of ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘that won’t make a difference really’ or ‘I can’t make time for myself’. Cooking food becomes harder. You start to resent it, stresses you out and bring bouts of overwhelm. 
I know because I was that person. On many occasions. When I worked in a corporate environment and when trying to build my own business. It’s easy to forget what’s more important and that’s your happiness, health and joy. 
There are so many waysto bring wellness into your life, but cooking is what really changed my life and I’m here to help you too if you want to easily translate your love of food at home. Lose your unhealthy emotions with cooking and instead create a positive fun relationship.
This post is filled with recipes to hopefully inspire you to want to cook a meal that makes you feel good this coming week. I know it can’t be easy every day but making a small step in the right direction makes all the difference to how you feel. 
Sign up to my free newsletter for more mindful self care cooking tips and inspo. Link in bio. 
Paola
#homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #selfcarelove #mindfulcooking #wellnesstips
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
LETS GET THE NATION COOKING WITH LOVE. My mission is to help this nation of busy people to slow down where possible. Help transform their cooking relationship so that they can embrace the joys of mindful home cooking as an easy accessible fun source of self care. From personal experience when you’re busy running your own business or your job is a priority for you it can be difficult to make time for yourself. Whatever your body and mind needs. Unfortunately that doesn’t get you anywhere good. You just get into a deeper hole of ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘that won’t make a difference really’ or ‘I can’t make time for myself’. Cooking food becomes harder. You start to resent it, stresses you out and bring bouts of overwhelm. I know because I was that person. On many occasions. When I worked in a corporate environment and when trying to build my own business. It’s easy to forget what’s more important and that’s your happiness, health and joy. There are so many waysto bring wellness into your life, but cooking is what really changed my life and I’m here to help you too if you want to easily translate your love of food at home. Lose your unhealthy emotions with cooking and instead create a positive fun relationship. This post is filled with recipes to hopefully inspire you to want to cook a meal that makes you feel good this coming week. I know it can’t be easy every day but making a small step in the right direction makes all the difference to how you feel. Sign up to my free newsletter for more mindful self care cooking tips and inspo. Link in bio. Paola #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #selfcarelove #mindfulcooking #wellnesstips
5 days ago
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4/5
If you’re looking to make some time for some fun delicious cooking, make time for you and some self care. My online self care cooking community is all about taking out the stress and overwhelm that you may feel in the kitchen and transform your cooking relationship so that you find the fun, empowering and rewarding side to it.
Peoples poor relationships with food is sometimes caused by their resentment of having to cook dinner all the time or maybe they are someone who has always believed they can’t cook.
The two unfortunately go hand in hand. And if you want to eat better, you really have to rely on yourself to make that stick. No diet plan or meal plan is going to change how you feel about cooking fundamentally and we need that to change so that we can embrace home cooking for the self care it really can be in our lives.
I create this membership specifically for this reason. To be a helping hand, to motivate you, be your cheerleader and remind you that you are worth it. You deserve to nourish yourself with meals that will make you happy, give you pleasure and full of goodness. 
As well as monthly cook alongs you have an unlimited access to a recipe library which is updated weekly with gorgeous self care meal ideas so that you never have to wonder what to cook for dinner.
For more info head to the link in my bio.
Oh P.S. prices are going up from Feb onwards so if you want it to have your monthly membership at £35 join this week.
#cookingcommunity #onlinecookingclasses #cookathome #selfcaredaily #mindfulcooking #selfloveaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
If you’re looking to make some time for some fun delicious cooking, make time for you and some self care. My online self care cooking community is all about taking out the stress and overwhelm that you may feel in the kitchen and transform your cooking relationship so that you find the fun, empowering and rewarding side to it. Peoples poor relationships with food is sometimes caused by their resentment of having to cook dinner all the time or maybe they are someone who has always believed they can’t cook. The two unfortunately go hand in hand. And if you want to eat better, you really have to rely on yourself to make that stick. No diet plan or meal plan is going to change how you feel about cooking fundamentally and we need that to change so that we can embrace home cooking for the self care it really can be in our lives. I create this membership specifically for this reason. To be a helping hand, to motivate you, be your cheerleader and remind you that you are worth it. You deserve to nourish yourself with meals that will make you happy, give you pleasure and full of goodness. As well as monthly cook alongs you have an unlimited access to a recipe library which is updated weekly with gorgeous self care meal ideas so that you never have to wonder what to cook for dinner. For more info head to the link in my bio. Oh P.S. prices are going up from Feb onwards so if you want it to have your monthly membership at £35 join this week. #cookingcommunity #onlinecookingclasses #cookathome #selfcaredaily #mindfulcooking #selfloveaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter
6 days ago
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5/5
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