Tuscan Kale Salad Recipes

TUSCAN KALE SALAD WITH ANCHOVY DRESSING

Steps:

• For the Tuscan kale salad: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat. Carefully submerge the kale in the hot water for 1 minute. Drain in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. (The kale should be just slightly wilted and tenderized.) Remove the kale to a towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess water.
• In a small bowl, combine the raisins, white wine vinegar and 1/4 cup hot water. Rehydrate the raisins for at least 15 minutes, then drain when ready to serve.
• For the anchovy dressing: Into a blender add the white wine vinegar, pecorino, shallots honey and anchovies. Blend on high until smooth. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Pour the dressing over the salad at least 15 minutes before serving to help further tenderize the kale.
• When ready to serve, add the toasted hazelnuts and plumped golden raisins and garnish with the shaved pecorino.

RAW TUSCAN KALE SALAD WITH PECORINO

Steps:

• Trim bottom 2 inches off kale stems and discard. Slice kale, including ribs, into 3/4-inch-wide ribbons. You should have 4 to 5 cups. Place kale in a large bowl.
• If using bread, toast it until golden on both sides. Tear it into small pieces and grind in a food processor until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
• Chop or microplane the garlic and transfer to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice & zest, salt, pepper flakes and black pepper, and whisk to combine. Pour dressing over kale and toss very well to thoroughly combine (dressing will be thick and need lots of tossing to coat leaves).
• Let salad sit for 5 minutes, then serve topped with bread crumbs, additional cheese and a drizzle of oil.

RED QUINOA AND TUSCAN KALE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan; add quinoa and red bell pepper. Return water to a boil, place cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes; add kale and continue cooking until quinoa is tender, about 5 minutes more.
• Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes; transfer to a large bowl. Stir feta cheese, almonds, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil with the onion mixture; add quinoa mixture and stir. Season mixture with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

TUSCAN KALE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bring 2 large pots of water (one heavily salted, and one lightly salted) to a boil. Add lasagna noodles to the heavily salted water and parboil for 6 minutes. Remove noodles to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process; drain and set aside.
• Add kale to the lightly salted water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Dry thoroughly and rip into large, bite-sized pieces; set aside.
• Mix ricotta cheese, goat cheese, and egg together in a bowl. Mix in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir in mushrooms and season with salt. Saute until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until mushrooms are tender, 3 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
• Coat the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish with 1/2 cup tomato sauce. Layer ingredients evenly as follows, pressing down firmly after adding each layer of noodles: 2 lasagna noodles, 1/2 the ricotta cheese mixture, all the kale, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/8 cup Parmesan, 2 lasagna noodles placed in opposite direction as first layer, the remaining ricotta mixture, all the mushrooms, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/8 cup Parmesan, the remaining lasagna noodles (alternating direction once more) and tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and remaining Parmesan. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and bake until cheese is golden brown and bubble, about 15 more minutes.