We simply wash it well and braise it, or add it in to dishes as described above – no boiling required!
The curly kale (or Scots-kale; Blue Curled Kale) is the variety we use, and available at around two dollars a bunch at present so, we offer a few recipes so you too can get that extra Spring Zing!
Sautéed Kale with Parmesan
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/2 diced small red onion
1 bunch curly Kale
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional – use vegetable stock if preferred)
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste
Remove the leaves from the kale. Tear the leaves away from the stems and center ribs. Chop them coarsely and place them in a bowl.
Chop the stems and center ribs of the kale. Cut them into 2-3 inch (5-7.6 cm) pieces.
Melt 2 tbsp. butter and 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet. Melt them over medium-high heat and wait for the butter to melt completely.
Stir in 1 tbsp. minced garlic and 1/2 diced small red onion. Cook them together for at least 20 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant.
Add the kale stems and 1/2 cup dry white wine to the mixture. Simmer the stems for 5 minutes or until they begin to soften.
Stir in the leaves. Cook the kale until the leaves are wilted, at least another 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and place the kale into a bowl.
Stir in 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese. Mix the kale until you've distributed the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt. Place the kale on a serving dish and enjoy it as a side dish.
Savory Kale with Mushrooms, Peppers and Leek
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 clove crushed garlic
1 8 oz. package portobello mushrooms
1 chopped leek
1 cup vegetable broth
1 bunch curly Kale
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Serve with steamed brown rice
Stem and cut portobello mushrooms. Cut the portobello mushrooms from one 8 oz. package into pieces that are 1/2 to 2 inches (1.2 to 5 cm) long. Trim and chop the Swiss kale. You don't have to chop it into perfectly-sized pieces -- just cut it enough so the kale can fit into the pan, with leaves that are no more than 5 inches (12 cm) long.
Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir 1 tsp. crushed red pepper and 1 clove crushed garlic into the oil.
Stir the mushrooms into the mixture. Stir the mushrooms until they have softened and have begun to release their liquid. This should take 3-5 minutes.
Stir 1 chopped leek into the mixture. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the leek has softened. Stir in 1 cup vegetable broth and kale. Cover the mixture and simmer it until the kale leaves wilted. This should take about 10 minutes.
Remove the lid. Keep cooking the kale until it's tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. Make sure not to burn the kale if the liquid has evaporated too early. This should take about five minutes.
Sprinkle the kale with 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese. Let the kale stand until the cheese is melted.
Serve the kale as a side dish, or even as a main course. You can top some quinoa or whole wheat pasta with the kale for a delicious meal. Or serve with brown rice. Yum!
Sweet and Spicy Kale
1/2 cup dry Sherry
1/2 cup raisins
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup sliced almonds
4 thinly-sliced garlic cloves
4 bunches curly Kale
1 red jalapeño
1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
2 tsp. lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Remove the center ribs and stems from the kale. Cut the leaves into 2" (5 cm) pieces. Bring 1/2 cup dry Sherry and 1/2 cup raisins to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat. Let the mixture cool.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in 1/2 cup sliced almonds. Let the almonds cook until they begin to brown, stirring frequently. This should take about 2 minutes.
Add 4 thinly-sliced garlic cloves garlic. Cook for a minute, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This should take about 1 minute.
Add kale to the pot. Add the kale in handfuls, tossing them to wilt them to make room for the next handful of kale. Cook until the kale is tender, which should take about 4 minutes.
Pour the raisin and sherry mixture over the kale. Add 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest, 2 tsp. lemon juice, and 1 thinly-sliced red jalapeño to the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the kale to combine all of the flavors.
Serve this sweet and spicy kale as a side dish.