Pan-Seared Veal Chop with Roasted Kale Pesto and Butternut Squash and Parsnip Puree

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups peeled and chopped butternut squash
• 1 large parsnip , peeled and chopped
• 1 onion , chopped
• 2 cloves garlic , crushed
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoons cayenne powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
• 3 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add butternut squash, parsnip, and onion; cook and stir until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in 2 cloves garlic; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

2. 2

   Pour water into the saucepan. Add coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne powder, and Chinese five-spice powder. Simmer until butternut squash is very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat; drain excess liquid. Let cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Stir butter into butternut squash mixture. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.

4. 4

   Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.

5. 5

   Toss kale, walnuts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper together on a rimmed baking sheet.

6. 6

   Broil in the preheated oven until kale starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

7. 7

   Combine kale mixture, 1/2 cup light olive oil, lemon juice, 3 cloves garlic, agave nectar, and red pepper flakes in a food processor; blend into a chunky paste.

8. 8

   Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

9. 9

   Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, rosemary, and thyme in a large oven-proof skillet; heat over medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Season veal chops with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes per side.

10. 10

    Transfer skillet to the preheated oven; roast chops until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), about 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes.

11. 11

    Divide butternut squash puree between 2 large serving plates. Place 1 chop on each place; top with a heaping tablespoon of kale pesto.