Smoky Creamed Kale Recipes

CREAMED KALE

Steps:

• Blanch the kale in lightly salted water until tender, rinse in ice water, drain and cut into 1/2-inch ribbons. In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the kale, cream and nutmeg. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, or until the cream has reduced and thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

SMOKY BRAISED KALE WITH TOMATO

Steps:

• Place a large, heavy-bottomed, high-sided pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When it shimmers, add onions and garlic and cook until they soften and begin to turn translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add tomato paste and smoked paprika, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste begins to caramelize, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add stock and vinegar, and allow to come to a boil.
• Add half the kale, cover, and cook for a minute or two, until it wilts. Repeat with remaining kale. Stir to incorporate the onion mixture into the soft kale and simmer until tender, 20 to 30 minutes, partly covered. Season to taste with salt and pepper, drizzle with a little more vinegar, and serve.

GARLICKY CREAMED KALE

Steps:

• Prepare the kale by removing the center stems and tearing the leaves into bite-size pieces. Set a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Season generously with salt. When it returns to a boil add the kale. Stir well so it cooks evenly. When it turns bright green and becomes tender, 10 to 12 minutes, remove and drain in a colander.
• To a high-sided saute pan over medium heat, add the butter and garlic. Stir in the cream with some salt and pepper. Set over high heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until the cream reduces by half, 6 to 7 minutes. Once reduced, add the kale, Parmesan, nutmeg and more salt and pepper and bring back to a simmer so the kale is heated through and the Parmesan has melted. Stir to coat everything evenly. Taste and season again if needed.

CREAMED KALE WITH PANKO TOPPING

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Working in batches, add some kale to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to an ice water bath and then drain in a colander. Place in a salad spinner to remove excess water. Continue to cook and drain remaining batches.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add pimentos and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add half-and-half and cream and bring to a simmer.
• Remove from the heat. Stir in Gruyere cheese, 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and cayenne. Fold in kale. Transfer to a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and panko.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

SMOKY QUICK-COOKED KALE

Steps:

• Remove tough stems and center ribs from kale. Stack half of the leaves and roll into a cigar shape, then cut crosswise into very thin strips. Repeat with remaining leaves.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until hot, then add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and pimenton and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened, about 1 minute.
• Add kale and cook, tossing very frequently, until tender and bright green, about 5 minutes. Stir in lime juice and salt and pepper to taste.

SMOKY CREAMED KALE

Steps:

• If using whole kale leaves, remove the stalks and major ribs and discard. Chop roughly. Set a large bowl of ice cold water in the sink. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the chopped kale and simmer for 1 minute, then drain into a large strainer and immediately transfer to the bowl of ice water. Swish the kale around in the cold water, then drain and squeeze dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel. Melt the butter in a deep sauté pan or 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Turn the heat down if necessary; do not let the flour brown. Whisk in the milk. Cook the mixture, stirring slowly and continuously, until the sauce comes to a boil and thickens enough to coat the back of the spatula, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the sauce is the consistency of soft pudding, about 2 more minutes. Stir in the cheese, mustard, paprika, salt, and a generous quantity of black pepper. Add the drained kale and mix well. Warm over low heat then serve.