Fennel Kale And Rice Gratin Recipes

FENNEL, KALE AND RICE GRATIN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add a generous amount of salt and add kale. Blanch for 2 to 3 minutes, remove from the water with a deep fry skimmer or a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and, taking the greens up by the handful, squeeze hard to expel excess water. Chop medium-fine or cut in thin ribbons.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add fennel. Cook, stirring often, until the fennel begins to soften. Add salt to taste and continue to cook, stirring often, until the fennel is very tender and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and kale, stir together for another minute, then stir in dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Whisk in milk and salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon). Stir in fennel and kale mixture, rice and Gruyère, and combine well. Taste and adjust seasonings. Scrape into baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top if using, and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of oil. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until set and the top and sides are beginning to color. Remove from oven and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. This is good hot, warm, or room temperature.

FENNEL RICE

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a deep, lidded skillet or a wide, lidded saucepan. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in fennel, add a generous pinch of salt, and cook, stirring often, until fennel has wilted and softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in rice or bulgur and stir to coat with olive oil.
• Add water, salt, pepper, parsley and dill and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, until rice or bulgur is soft and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat, uncover and place a towel across the top of the pan. Return lid and let sit for 10 minutes. Serve hot, with the remaining olive oil drizzled over the top.

KALE AND FENNEL SKILLET

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and fennel; cook and stir until onion begins to brown, 6-8 minutes. Add sausage, garlic, sherry and seasonings; cook until sausage starts to caramelize, 4-6 minutes. , Add kale; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender, 15-17 minutes.

PROVENçAL KALE AND CABBAGE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a two-quart gratin or casserole.
• Heat two tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat, and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender and translucent, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic, sage and thyme, and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the kale and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook in the liquid left on the leaves after washing until the kale begins to wilt. Stir often, and when most of the kale has wilted, add the cabbage and salt to taste. Add 1/2 cup water, and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes until the water has evaporated; the kale and cabbage should be wilted and fragrant but still have some texture and color. Add pepper, taste and adjust salt.
• Beat the eggs in a bowl, and stir in the cooked vegetables, the rice and Gruyère or Swiss. Stir together well, and scrape into the baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top, and drizzle on the remaining olive oil. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until firm and browned on the top.
• Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot or warm.

KALE AND FENNEL FROND FRITTATA

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Heat olive oil in a small ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add kale and cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Add fennel fronds and cook for 1 minute more.
• Season beaten eggs with salt and pepper and pour into the skillet. Stir briefly, then leave to allow the bottom of the frittata to set. Once you see the bottom setting, take a spatula to the edges of the pan to ensure that the frittata isn't sticking. When the frittata starts to set around the edges, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top.
• Place skillet under the broiler and cook until the frittata is fully set and the edges slightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately or at room temperature.