![Spinach pesto pasta recipe. Use basil pesto and sprinkle toasted almonds on top](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b37dc8_ca34d3602da444719659d54fc0862940~mv2_d_1221_1516_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_754,h_936,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/TEMPLATE%20RECIPE.jpg)
-Pine nuts are a good source of mono unsaturated fat. An alternative are slivered almonds (as in Bok Choy salad recipe).
-Pesto is a paste made from fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, nuts and Parmesan cheese. It is even better when you grow too much basil and can make pesto yourself.
-Whenever there is an opportunity to add green leaves (eg. Spinach, herbs) to a meal, do it. They contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and even omega 3 unsaturated fats.
-Try adding a handful (or more) of chopped edible "weeds" such as sow thistle, mallow, amaranth, stinging nettle, nightshade or sea celery (if you are near the coast). See my edible weeds page.
-Generally, in these recipes, pasta is chosen more often than rice for at least a couple of reasons. Pasta generally has a lower GI, and living in Australia, it makes more sense, environmentally to grow wheat because it uses less water