Lacinato Kale Salad with Roasted Squash

Why in the world would I be making a butternut squash salad when my garden and crisper drawer are overflowing with zucchini and yellow squash??  Because, I was cleaning up for company and still had two butternut squashes sitting in the kitchen that I hadn't gotten around to using last fall.  They were still in surprisingly good shape, so the choice was to either toss them onto the compost pile or be responsible and eat them.  So, I pulled out my butternut squash file and found this recipe.  I do think it would have been better with fresh squash and a different variety of kale, but I was pleased that the squash ended up in my stomach vs. the compost pile.

Also, this is another one of those massaged kale salads that totally intrigues me, so I was glad for a chance to try it out.

Source:  Martha Stewart Living magazine, January 2012

1 lb. peeled and seeded butternut squash, cut into 1/2" cubes (about 4 c.)

3 T. extra-virgin olive oil

Sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

4 large shallots, thinly sliced (1 1/2 c.)

1/4 c. lemon juice

3 T. flaxseed oil*

1 1/2 bunches Lacinato kale, washed and patted dry

4 oz. aged goat cheese, shaved or crumbled

1/3 c. toasted hazelnuts (1 1/2 oz), roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Drizzle with 1 1/2 T. olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and pepper, toss well.  Roast until golden brown, tossing halfway through, about 45 min.

Meanwhile, place shallots on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and drizzle with remaining 1 1/2 T. olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Roast until brown, tossing halfway through, about 30 min.

In a large salad bowl, combine lemon juice, flaxseed oil, 1/2 t. salt, and a  pinch of pepper.  Cut 2" off bottom of kale and slice leaves crosswise into 3/4" ribbons (you should have 12 c. loosely packed kale); add to salad bowl.  Toss kale with dressing, squeezing until leaves are soft. Let stand for at least 30 minutes.  

Add squash, shallots, cheese and nuts to kale.  Toss well to combine.

*I substituted olive oil.

Serves 8

Cindy's Kale Salad

One of the ladies from book group made this for our picnic last week.  YUM!!  I've never had the courage to use kale for a salad, especially before a fall frost; I was always afraid it would be too tough or bitter.  But, this was perfection!  So, I ventured out and made this salad with kale from my garden for dinner with friends this evening.

1 T. lemon juice

4 T. olive oil

4 T. honey

sea salt

pepper

1 bunch kale, stalks removed, torn into bite-size pieces*

1/4 c. sliced almonds

1/3 c. golden raisins or 1 c. fresh berries**

Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.  Add kale.  Using both hands, gently massage dressing into kale for about 2-5 minutes.  (You may want to use gloves, as this is a bit messy.  The kale will change color, wilt a bit and become softer.)  Add raisins and almonds and toss.

*My kale wasn't as sweet and tender as Cindy's, so I'm guessing she may have a different variety of kale in her garden.  I believe Tuscan kale is the variety to use if you can find it.  My kale was a bit chewy, but the flavor was still good.  Next time I plan to massage it a bit longer.

** I substituted black raspberries for the raisins, but any fresh berry would not only be lovely to look at, but yummy too.

Sausage, Lentil, and Kale Soup

This is a perfect way to use all that frozen kale in the freezer.
And, sausage from Rooster St. Provisions will give it fabulous flavor!!

Source:  Everyday Food magazine, December 2009

2 t. extra-virgin olive oil
8 oz. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
2 celery stalks (with leafy tops), thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, diced medium
1/2 c. dried lentils
6 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. water
1 bunch (about 1/2 lb.) kale, preferably Tuscan, stems removed and torn into bite-size pieces
coarse sea salt and ground pepper
2 t. red-wine vinegar

In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high.  Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Add celery and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add lentils, broth, and 1/2 c. water and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a rapid simmer, partially covered, and cook until lentils and vegetables are tender, 25 minutes.

Add kale and season with sea salt.  Return soup to a rapid simmer, cover, and cook until kale wilts, about 5 minutes.  Remove soup from heat, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

Sweet Potato, Sausage & Greens Soup

Yum, yum, yum!  I decided to try this recipe because I had an abundance of kale and sweet potatoes from the garden, but I never dreamed it would be so delicious.  I'm sure the Italian sausage I bought at Rooster St. Provisions was part of the secret to the fabulous flavor combo.  Yum!

Source:  marthastewart.com

1 T. olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced large

2 cloves garlic, minced

Sea salt & pepper

3/4 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1 lb. sweet potatoes, unpeeled and diced medium

4 c. chicken broth

2 c. water

3/4 c. small pasta shells

4 c. packed roughly chopped mixed greens, such as kale and Swiss chard

Grated Parmesan. for serving

In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high.  Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes; season with sea salt and pepper.  Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.

Add sweet potatoes, broth and water and bring to a boil.  Add pasta and cook 3 minutes less than package instructions.  Reduce to a simmer, add greens, and cook until pasta is tender and greens are wilted, 4 minutes.  Serve with Parmesan.

Serves 6.

Pasta Fagioli

"Pasta Fagioli" simply means pasta and beans.  My garden is getting ready to say "farewell" for the season, but there was still plenty of celery and kale out there, waiting to be added to this yummy soup - perfect for a cool, fall evening.

Source:  adapted from recipe on the (AICR) American Institute for Cancer Research website

1 T. olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 medium stalks celery, chopped into 1/2" pieces

1 1/2 t. dried Italian seasoning

1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes

1 1/2 t. sea salt

1 (15 oz.) can chicken broth

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 (8 oz.) can tomatoes, chopped

1 c. uncooked whole-wheat rotini pasta

2 c. fresh spinach, Swiss chard or kale, chopped*

1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans

1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley (or 2 t. dried)

2 T. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil in large saucepan. Cook onion, garlic, celery, Italian seasoning, red pepper and salt until onions are tender. Stir in broth, tomato sauce and tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and simmer approximately 20 minutes.

Add pasta and cook until tender according to package directions. Add spinach, beans and parsley. Stir gently for a few minutes until spinach wilts and mixture is heated through. Serve with grated cheese on top.

Makes 6 servings.

*Note - if using kale, you may want to cook it a bit longer.

Fried Eggs with Greens and Mushrooms

OK, not the easiest recipe to get a good photo of since the cast iron skillet and the greens are both dark, but it was actually quite beautiful.  Maybe I was swayed by the fact that I was using my mom's skillet; for some reason, I find using it very comforting - always makes me think of those yummy potato cakes out of leftover mashed potatoes that I simply cannot figure out how to make like she did.  (This recipe actually calls for a cast iron skillet!)  Anyway, this is a nice main dish recipe if you're trying to incorporate more cooked greens in your diet and you like one-dish meals.

Source:  Martha Stewart Living magazine

Sage-Chile Butter:

4 T. unsalted butter

1 T. small sage leaves

1/4 t. crushed red-pepper flakes

Eggs and Greens:

2 T. olive oil

10 oz. mushrooms, sliced

coarse sea salt

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

6 c. cooking greens (I used Swiss chard), cut into 3/4"-wide ribbons

2 T. water

2 T. unsalted butter

4 large eggs

finely grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Sage-Chile Butter:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add sage and red-pepper flakes.  Simmer until sage is crisp, about 3 min.

Eggs and Greens:

Heat a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over high heat.  Swirl in oil.  Cook mushrooms with 1/2 t. salt until golden and tender, 4-5 min.  Stir in garlic, then greens and water.  Cook, stirring, until greens wilt.  Add butter, stir until melted.

Push greens to make 4 wells.  Crack 1 egg into each.  Season with salt.  Cook for 4 min.  Let stand until whites are set, but yolks are still runny, about 4 min.  Drizzle with sage-chile butter.  Garnish with cheese.

Baked Kale Chips

Source:  adapted from allrecipes.com

OK, these may be a stretch for you, but it's worth a try!  It's a great low-calorie, nutritious snack and soothes the craving for something salty and crunchy.  I used sea salt, but am going to experiment with some other seasonings.  Let me know if you come up with a seasoning you like!

1 bunch kale

1 T. olive oil

1 t. seasoned salt or sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 2 non-insulated cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Carefully remove leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite-size pieces.  Wash and thoroughly dry with a salad spinner.  (Important - if there is moisture on the leaves, the kale will steam instead of crisping.)   Place in a large bowl.  Drizzle kale with olive oil and toss with hands until thoroughly coated.  Place in a single layer on cookie sheets.

Bake until the edges are brown but not burned, about 10-15 minutes.  Sprinkle with salt.

Update - since I posted this recipe, I tried another batch in my dehydrator.  I had dehydrated some kale last year and remembered it tasting better than the baked version.  My memory was correct - the kale is much better dehydrated - it looses the bitter taste and just tastes better all around.  I realize few people have the luxury of a dehydrator, but if you do, simply dehydrate at 110 degrees until crisp, then sprinkle with seasonings.
 My kale continues to produce, so I plan to keep dehydrating it so I have a supply of kale chips on hand for later use.