Pasta With White Beans And Kale Food

PASTA, KALE AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Put the bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the carrots, garlic, tomato paste, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook until the carrots begin to soften, about 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth, 6 cups water and the parmesan rind. Increase the heat to high; cover and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and beans and cook, uncovered, 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the kale. Simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes. Remove the parmesan rind, stir in half of the grated cheese and season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with the remaining cheese.
• Per Serving: Calories: 499; Total Fat: 16 grams; Saturated Fat: 6 grams; Protein: 23 grams; Total carbohydrates: 66 grams; Sugar: grams; Fiber: 9 grams; Cholesterol: 44 milligrams; Sodium: 763 milligrams

PASTA WITH WHITE BEANS AND KALE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions in well salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 4 to 5 minutes, until soft and translucent.
• Add the thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add the chopped kale and garlic. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes until the kale has wilted slightly and is bright green.
• Add the white beans and stir to combine. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
• Add the nutritional yeast, if using, and stir to combine.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine. Tip: Kitchen tongs are easier to use here than a spoon or spatula.
• Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin the sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water if you like it saucier. *If you forgot to reserve the pasta cooking water, you can use vegetable broth.
• Garnish with fresh cracked black pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.

MACARONI WITH KALE AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to directions, making sure to not overcook.
• Rip kale off its stem into bite-sized pieces. (Be sure not to use the stem, as it is quite bitter. I've tried cutting it, but it works better to rip it).
• Rinse kale in a large bowl of cold water and drain.
• Heat oil in a large skillet or stockpot (you will need a lid later).
• Add garlic and red pepper, cooking over med-high heat for about 2 minutes.
• Stir in kale and broth and cover pan, stirring occasionally, until kale is wilted but bright green and tender, about 7 minutes.
• Gently stir in salt, followed by beans, macaroni, and Parmesan. (Do not use canned parmesan, as it really will not taste right. Use the "real" grated parmesan!).

WHOLE-WHEAT TAGLIATELLE WITH CREAMY WHITE-BEAN AND KALE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant and golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until light golden, about 1 minute. Add kale and cook, tossing, until bright green, about 1 minute. Scrape mixture into a blender (reserve skillet). Add 1 cup water, beans, and lemon juice to blender; purée until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, 1 minute less than package instructions. Drain.
• Pour blended kale sauce back into skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Add pasta and cook, tossing, until coated and sauce has thickened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes more. (If sauce thickens too much, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.) Season with salt and pepper.
• In a bowl, combine cheese, parsley, toasted almonds, and lemon zest. Sprinkle half of cheese mixture over pasta and serve remainder on the side. Drizzle pasta with more oil and serve.