Smoky Quick Cooked Kale Recipes

QUICK PAN-FRIED KALE

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse the kale in cold water, soaking it in the water if it seems gritty or sandy. Tear the leaves into chunks and discard the stems.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and quickly stir it around to avoid burning. Throw in the kale and use tongs to move it around the skillet. Sprinkle in plenty of salt and pepper and the red pepper flakes. Continue cooking until the kale is slightly wilted but still a little crisp, about 2 minutes. Drizzle over some sesame oil and toss.
• Transfer the kale to a plate and serve it to anyone who has a hankering for a huge dose of beta-carotene and vitamin K!

MY FAVORITE SAUTEED KALE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes, if using, and let them sizzle a bit in the oil.
• Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored.
• Raise heat to high, add the stock and kale and toss to combine.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring until all (most) the liquid has evaporated. I like the kale to still remain bright-ish green.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and add vinegar.

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.

SAUTEED KALE WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA

Steps:

• Cook kale in large pot of boiling salted water until wilted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander; drain.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and crushed red pepper; sprinkle with salt. Add kale and sauté until heated through, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and more smoked paprika, if desired. Transfer to serving bowl; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and serve.
• *Sweet smoked paprika is sometimes labeled Pimentón Dulce or Pimentón de La Vera Dulce, and hot smoked paprika is sometimes labeled Pimentón Picante or Pimentón de La Vera Picante; available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, an from tienda.com.

EASY GARLIC KALE

Steps:

• Soak kale leaves in a large bowl of water until dirt and sand begin to fall to the bottom, about 2 minutes. Lift kale from the bowl without drying the leaves and immediately remove and discard stems. Chop the kale leaves into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir garlic until sizzling, about 1 minute. Add kale to the skillet and place a cover over the top.
• Cook, stirring occasionally with tongs, until kale is bright green and slightly tender, 5 to 7 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 KALE CHIPS

Steps:

• Remove the center ribs and stems from 1 bunch kale; tear the leaves into 3-to-4-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Spread on 2 baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees F until browned around the edges and crisp, 12 to 15 minutes.

INSTANT POT KALE RECIPE

Steps:

• Sort the kale in a large colander or bowl. You don't need to wash the kale thoroughly, you're mostly picking out the thick stems and any pieces that don't look fresh.
• Set the Instant Pot to Saute Low, add the olive oil and the garlic.
• Toss the kale into the pot as you sort it. Saute for one to two minutes, just enough to shrink the kale to fit into the pot and give it a little extra flavor.
• Add the liquid and pepper, seal the lid and set the pot to pressure cook for 4-6 minutes. If you like kale al dente, cook it for four minutes. If you like it very tender, cook it longer. I like mine soft, at the expense of a little color and volume.
• Once it's done, do a quick release to stop the veggie from overcooking as the pressure drops.
• If you want, now is the time to add a little more salt and pepper, vinegar, lemon juice, bacon, or even some grated Parmesan cheese.