Garlicky Tuscan Kale Food

EASY TUSCAN KALE

Steps:

• Wash and dry the kale leaves, then destem and roughly chop the kale.
• Smash and peel the garlic cloves.
• Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the smashed garlic and kale and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until wilted and bright green.
• Remove from the heat and add the kosher salt and several grinds of fresh ground pepper. Discard the garlic cloves and serve immediately. (If desired, you can add lemon juice or Parmesan: but neither are necessary with the sweet flavor of Tuscan kale! You may want to consider them if using curly kale.)

SAUTEED KALE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. 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 the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add vinegar.

SAUTEED KALE WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Cook 5 sliced garlic cloves in 1/4 cup olive oil in a pot over medium-low heat until sizzling, 1 minute. Add 1 pound chopped kale and stir until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until tender, 5 minutes.

SHEET PAN BLACKENED SALMON WITH GARLICKY KALE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F. Set an oven rack in the lower-middle position.
• Prepare the salmon: Use 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to grease the bottom of a rimmed sheet pan. Place the salmon, skin side down, on a flat surface and season with salt. In a small bowl, mix together the cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and mustard and set aside. Sift an even layer of the spices over the salmon and arrange filets skin side down, on the baking sheet, with space between each.
• Prepare the kale: In a medium bowl, massage the kale with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic. Arrange it all around (but not covering) the fish on the pan. Sprinkle the oregano on top of the salmon.
• Cook the salmon: Place the pan in the lower-middle rack and roast for 10 to 12 minutes for medium to medium-rare salmon. (For well-done fish, leave in the oven an additional 5-8 minutes.) Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle all of the lime zest and juice over the fish. Drizzle with honey. Serve immediately.

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.

TUSCAN KALE SALAD

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.
• Using a mortar and pestle, or with the back of a knife, pound garlic into a paste. Transfer garlic to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, 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.

KALE CAESAR WITH GARLICKY PANKO CRUNCH

Steps:

• For the topping: Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring constantly, until light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Push the panko to one side and add the remaining tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the garlic directly to the oil and cook, stirring it into the oil, about 30 seconds. Mix the garlic into the panko and continue to cook until the panko is golden brown, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a bowl and cool, then stir in the Parmesan.
• For the Caesar dressing and salad: In a small jar with a lid, combine the lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Add in the oil and shake until emulsified.
• Put the kale in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss to coat. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle the toasted panko mixture over the kale.