Tuscan Kale And Squash Minestra Recipes

MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a deep, large, heavy pot over moderate heat, saute garlic and pancetta in extra-virgin olive oil for 3 minutes. Add onions and cook 1 or 2 minutes longer.
• Add the greens and wilt them down to fit them all in the pot. Add beans, broth, and nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook over moderate to medium-high heat for 12 minutes, or until greens are no longer bitter. Serve with shaved cheese, bread, and good red wine.

LENTIL SOUP WITH TOMATO AND TUSCAN KALE

Steps:

• For the lentils: Remove the outer layers from the head of garlic and cut off about 1/4 inch of the stem end to expose the cloves. Add the lentils to a large pot and cover them by 2 inches with water. Add the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaf, the head of garlic and a couple of pinches of salt. Bring the lentils to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the lentils are creamy and tender, about 40 minutes.
• Remove and discard the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaf and garlic. Using an immersion blender, puree about one-third of the lentils and return them to the pot. (Or scoop one-third of the lentils into a standard blender and puree, then add back to the pot.)
• For the soffrito: In a food processor, combine the red onion, carrots, celery, rosemary and thyme and pulse until the vegetables are minced. Add the mixture to a separate large soup pot along with the olive oil. Turn the heat to high and fry the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they soften and color slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes with their juice, and a couple pinches of salt to the soffrito and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 10 minutes. Add the kale and another pinch of salt, stirring to coat the leaves. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, until the kale is soft.
• Add the lentils into the pot of vegetables and stir. Add about 2 cups water, a little at a time, to thin the soup (it can be more or less water, depending on the level of thickness you prefer). Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Taste and add salt, if needed. Serve with black pepper, Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

MINESTRONE WITH KALE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, and add the onion and carrots.
• Cook, stirring often, until the onion turns translucent and the carrots glisten, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook, stirring, for another minute or so, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant.
• Add the tomatoes and their liquid and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down a bit.
• Add the beans, kale, parsley, water, and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the flavors are all incorporated and the kale is tender.
• Add the cooked pasta, and stir to incorporate.
• Cook for 5 minutes more, tasting and adjusting the salt and pepper as needed, then remove from heat and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, FARRO, AND KALE

Steps:

• Tear a vent into the corner of the bag of butternut squash, cook in microwave oven until tender, about 5 minutes or as stated on package.
• Tear a vent into the corner of the bag of farro; cook in microwave oven until tender and the moisture is absorbed, about 90 seconds or as stated on package.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook garlic in oil until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes; add kale and cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir squash and farro together with the garlic; season with salt. Add chicken to the squash mixture; cook and stir until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Pour chicken soup over the chicken mixture. Stir raisins and pine nuts into the mixture; cook until everything is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.

TUSCAN KALE AND SQUASH MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil and add the onion; cover and let sweat, over moderate heat, stirring often, until softened, 4 minutes.
• Add squash, cover, let cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is lightly browned in spots (it will not be tender), 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 1 minute; add kale and cook, stirring, until it wilts, 5 minutes.
• Pour in the stock, cover and simmer until kale and squash are tender, 8 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• In the meantime, cook pasta in salted water, according to package directions, until al dente; drain.
• Add pasta and navy beans to the soup and simmer until the soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes; stir in the remaining olive oil.
• Serve in deep bowls, garnished with shaved cheese, and with garlic toasts.
• NOTE: Will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. The next day the soup will be thicker and some prefer it this way.

TUSCAN KALE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND RED-WINE VINEGAR

Steps:

• Combine oil, onion, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saute pan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
• Add vinegar to pan, and raise heat to medium-high. Add kale, 1/4 cup water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until kale begins to soften, about 3 minutes. As the pan becomes dry, add another 1/4 cup water, and cook until the kale is tender, about 3 minutes more. Serve immediately.

LACINATO KALE SALAD WITH ROASTED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and pepper; toss well. Roast until golden brown, tossing halfway through, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place shallots on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and drizzle with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until brown, tossing halfway through, about 30 minutes.
• In a large salad bowl, combine lemon juice, flaxseed oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Cut 2 inches off bottom of kale, and slice leaves crosswise into 3/4-inch ribbons (you should have 12 cups loosely packed kale); add to salad bowl. Toss kale with dressing, squeezing until leaves are soft. Let stand for at least 30 minutes.
• Add vegetables, cheese, and nuts to kale. Toss well to combine.