Whole Wheat Linguine with Kale, Red Walnuts & Pecorino Cheese

500g Benedetto Cavalieri Whole Wheat Linguine Pasta
3-5 cloves Garlic
1 bunch Lacinato Kale
1 Lemon
1 Yellow Onion
5 Tbsps Butter
4 Tbsps Red Walnuts
half cup Grated Pecorino Cheese
half cup Panko Breadcrumbs
half tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Prepare the ingredients:
Wash and dry the fresh produce. Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high. Peel and mince the garlic cloves; using the flat side of your knife, smash until they resemble a paste. Remove and discard the kale stems; roughly chop the leaves. Using a peeler, remove the yellow rind of the lemon; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester). Quarter the lemon and remove the seeds. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Roughly chop the walnuts.

Toast the nuts:
Heat a large, dry pan on medium-high until hot. Add the walnuts and toast, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the pan.

Make the garlic breadcrumbs:
In the same pan used to toast the nuts, heat one-third of the butter and 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium until hot. Add the garlic paste. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant and golden brown. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown and toasted. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Wipe out the pan.

Cook the pasta:
Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until just shy of al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Reserve ¾ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta thoroughly. Set aside.

Cook the onions & kale:
While the pasta cooks, in the same pan used to make the garlic breadcrumbs, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium until hot. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the kale and ¼ cup of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes, or until the kale has wilted.

Finish & plate your dish:
To the pan of onions and kale, add the lemon zest, remaining butter, pasta, the juice of 2 lemon wedges (you will have extra), ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, two-thirds of the Pecorino cheese and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. (If the sauce seems dry, add the remaining pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.) Top with the garlic breadcrumbs, remaining Pecorino and toasted walnuts. Enjoy!