Browsed by
Tag: Dark Leafy Greens

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

2 small celery, chopped

2 C. green or brown lentils, rinsed & drained (uncooked).  Red Lentils OK, but reduce cooking time by 14 minutes.

28 oz can diced or crushed tomatoes, low sodium

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. salt

Ground black pepper, to taste

2 bay leaves

2 bouillon cubes + 10 C. water or 10 C. veggie stock, low sodium

11 oz box of spinach or kale

1 large garlic clove, grated

Parmesan cheese, for serving

 

In Instant Pot, add onion, carrot, celery, lentils, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, bay leaves and bouillon cubes. Add water enough to fill up to 2/3 full line or approximately 10 cups. Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High pressure for 18 minutes. Display will say ON, Instant Pot will take about 30 minutes to come to pressure, you will see a bit of steam coming out from a valve, then float valve will rise and countdown from 18 minutes will begin. Lentil soup is ready but your Instant Pot needs to bring pressure down before you can open it, which will be indicated by a dropped down float valve. You can let it do it on its own which will take less than an hour – Natural Release. OR you can do Quick Release by turning pressure valve to Venting position, which takes 3-4 minutes. I recommend doing so outside to avoid the mess and smell. Open the lid, add spinach and garlic, stir and serve hot garnished with Parmesan cheese.  Make Ahead: Refrigerate chopped veggies with spices in an airtight container for up to 3 days and mix with the rest when ready to cook.

 

Freezer Meal: Add all ingredients in the order listed in the recipe minus water, spinach and garlic and freeze uncooked in a gallon size Ziploc bag. Cook from frozen with 10 or 14 C. of water for 20 minutes. Do quick release, then add spinach and garlic.

Sirloin Steak and Spinach Salad

Sirloin Steak and Spinach Salad

Sirloin Steak and Spinach Salad

 

11/2 pounds sirloin steak

1 T. olive oil

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 C. pecan pieces

1/2 C. buttermilk

1/4 C. mayonnaise

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Dash of salt & pepper

4 C. fresh spinach

1 pear, thinly sliced

1 C. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

 

Dredge the sirloin steak in a mixture of the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Let stand for 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the fridge. Bring back to room temperature while heating up your grill to 450°. Grill the sirloin steak, about 8-10 minutes each side for medium doneness. If you want to pan fry your steak, heat up a cast iron pan on high heat, and cook the steak 8-10 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Remove steak from heat and let rest for 10-15 minutes.  While steak is cooking, preheat oven to 350°. Place the pecan pieces onto a baking sheet and lightly toast in oven for 5-8 minutes, being careful not to burn. In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper into your dressing.  In a large salad bowl, toss spinach, pear slices, cherry tomatoes, and pecan pieces. Cut sirloin steak into 1/4-inch slices and toss into salad. Dress with the buttermilk dressing.

Foraged Spring

Foraged Spring

Foraged Spring

 

Large bunch dandelion greens, rinsed of dirt and rough chopped with stems

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 garlic cloves, sliced thin

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 cup vegetable broth

2 tablespoons pine nuts

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Splash of apple cider vinegar (or vinegar based hot sauce if you prefer heat)

 

Heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering in a saucepan. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently just until the garlic starts to brown.  Add the chopped dandelion greens in and toss well to coat. Pour in the vegetable broth and simmer, stirring occasionally over medium heat until the broth is almost completely absorbed.  Toss in pine nuts, lemon juice, then add the vinegar and mix to incorporate. Serve hot or warm as a side dish — or make it a meal by serving with a couple of fried eggs.

Kale & Bacon Breakfast Skillet

Kale & Bacon Breakfast Skillet

Kale & Bacon Breakfast Skillet

1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil or ghee

6 bacon slices, chopped into small pieces

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup chopped white mushrooms

5 large kale leaves, stemmed and chopped

Pinch of sea salt

Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

 

In a large skillet, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until just crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook until just soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add the kale, salt, and pepper and cook until the kale wilts and turns dark green, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm.  Change it up: Use another hearty green such as Swiss chard instead of kale.

Boston Market Creamed Spinach

Boston Market Creamed Spinach

Boston Market Creamed Spinach

1 20oz Package Chopped Spinach Frozen

1 C. White Sauce (Thick)

1/2 C. Sour Cream

1 tsp. Salt

2 T. Butter

2 T. Finely Chopped Onion

1/4 C. Water

 

White Sauce:

3 T. Butter

4 T. Flour

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 C. Whole Milk

 

Prepare the white sauce using a medium low setting melt butter in a saucepan add flour and 1/4 tsp. of salt until creamed together. Add milk a little at a time on medium heat. Constantly stir with a whisk until mixture becomes thick and smooth.  Place butter in a 2-quart saucepan on medium heat, add onions. Cook until the onions are transparent. Place spinach and add water to pan, lower the heat and place lid on pan. Stir several times until the spinach is almost completely cooked. Add 1 tsp. of salt. When spinach is almost done add white sauce and sour cream, stir well and simmer until completely blended.

Shells with Broccoli Rabe & Pancetta

Shells with Broccoli Rabe & Pancetta

Shells with Broccoli Rabe & Pancetta

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 pounds broccoli rabe (1-2 bunches)

1 pound large pasta shells, such as Barilla

Olio Santo Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 pound pancetta, 1/4-inch diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

8-10 ounces fresh ricotta

Freshly grated Italian parmesan cheese, for serving

 

Bring large pot of water to a boil and add 1 T. salt. Remove and discard the bottom third of the broccoli rabe and slice the rest crosswise in 2-inch pieces. When the water boils, cook the broccoli rabe for 2-3 minutes, until just tender. With a wire skimmer, lift the broccoli rabe (don’t drain the pot!) into a large bowl and set aside. Bring the water back to a boil, add the shells, and cook al dente according to the directions on the package. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid, drain the pasta and set aside.  Meanwhile, heat 2 T. of Olio Santo olive oil in a large sauté pan, add the pancetta, and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the broccoli rabe and red pepper flakes and toss well. Add the cooked shells, 1 tsp. of salt, and 1 tsp. of black pepper and toss. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until all the ingredients are heated through, adding enough of the reserved cooking water so the pasta isn’t dry. Serve hot in large shallow bowls with a large dollop of ricotta and drizzle with Olio Santo olive oil, and with grated Parmesan on the side.

Lemon Butter Chicken

Lemon Butter Chicken

Lemon Butter Chicken

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

1/2 T. Smoked Paprika

3 T. Unsalted butter, divided

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 C. chicken broth

1/2 C. heavy cream

1/3 C. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

2 T. fresh parsley, chopped

Juice of 1 lemon

Splash of dry white wine

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

2 C. fresh spinach

1/4 tsp. salt

Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Season the chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside. Melt 2 T. of butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set chicken aside on separate plate. While the chicken is resting, return to the same skillet and melt remaining T. of butter in the skillet. Add garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, splash of wine and thyme. Bring sauce to a boil and reduce heat. Add in the spinach and parsley and simmer until the spinach and parsley has wilted and the sauce has slightly thickened.

Continue to cook the sauce about 5-7 minutes so the sauce becomes thicker. You don’t want the sauce to become too runny! Once your sauce is to the desired thickness, return the chicken to the oven proof dish. Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes. Remove the dish and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Top with fresh chopped parsley.

Lentil Soup with Lemon and Turmeric

Lentil Soup with Lemon and Turmeric

Lentil Soup with Lemon and Turmeric

2 T. olive oil

2 cups finely chopped onion (1 medium onion)

1 1/2 cups chopped carrot (2 large carrots)

2 tsp. minced garlic (3 cloves)

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

2 cups (12 ounces) lentils, picked and rinsed

8 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 heaping cups shredded kale or spinach

1 to 2 lemons

1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill, optional

Fine sea salt, to taste

 

Heat the oil in a large pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, and 1/4 tsp. of salt and cook, stirring occasionally until they are softened and starting to smell sweet, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the lentils and broth. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Taste then adjust with salt (we add between 1/2 and 1 tsp. depending on how well seasoned the broth is). Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until the lentils are tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Uncover the pot and stir in the kale (or spinach) and cook, uncovered, another 5 minutes. Take the soup off of the heat, and then stir in the juice of half a lemon and the fresh herbs. Taste the soup, and then season with additional salt and/or lemon juice. (I like quite a bit of lemon.) Serve or if you prefer the soup to be blended, use an immersion blender to blend until your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can use a stand blender to blend all or part of the soup.

The Ravenwood Salad

The Ravenwood Salad

The Ravenwood Salad

Great for Potlucks

 

2/3 cup (160 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup (80 ml) red wine vinegar

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

Freshly ground black pepper

 

1/2 cup (70 g) sunflower seeds

1/2 cup (70 g) pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)

1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil

Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon

1 bunch kale (curly or Lacinato), torn into small pieces or thinly sliced

1/2 head radicchio, thinly sliced

1/4 head green cabbage, shredded or thinly sliced

2 large carrots, grated or thinly sliced

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup (15 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese

 

Preheat the oven to 35O°F.  Whisk together the oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, and pepper until smooth (or blend in a blender).

 

Toss the sunflower seeds and pepitas in the oil and flaky salt to taste, and spread out on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven until lightly golden and fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes; do not let them burn—they shouldn’t be dark. Layer the dressing, toasted seeds, and then the greens and vegetables in a large bowl. Top with the cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to overnight. Before serving, toss together. Taste and add more salt, if needed, and serve at room temperature.

Spinach and Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Spinach and Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Spinach and Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

 

8 ounces spinach (about 4 packed cups)

1 large or 2 medium grapefruit

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

 

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon finely minced shallot

1 teaspoon finely chopped tarragon

Pinch of salt

 

Tear the spinach into bite-size pieces, if necessary, and place in a large bowl. Section the grapefruit: Cut the top and bottom off the grapefruit so that the flesh of the fruit is exposed, and it will sit flat on a cutting board. Cut the peel and pith from the fruit using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Set the grapefruit on one of its flat ends on a cutting board. The sections of the fruit will face up. Cut out the sections, slicing from the outside toward the center of the fruit, just inside the membranes. You can leave the sections whole or cut them into bite-size pieces. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until they are lightly browned, have puffed up, and begin to pop, 4 to 7 minutes. Prepare the dressing: Combine the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, shallot, tarragon, and salt in a bowl and whisk together. Stir in any grapefruit juice that may have puddled on the cutting board while you were sectioning the fruit. Pour the dressing over the spinach. Depending on how much dressing you like, you may have some left over, and it will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Toss the spinach well, then add the grapefruit and pumpkin seeds and toss gently again to combine.

Very Green Spaghetti

Very Green Spaghetti

Very Green Spaghetti

5 oz dried spaghetti

4 cloves of garlic

7 oz cavolo nero (Tuscan Kale)

1 oz Parmesan cheese

1 oz ricotta cheese

Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, peel the garlic. Tear the stems out of the cavolo and discard, adding the leaves and the garlic to the pasta pan for 5 minutes. Pour 1 1/2 T. of extra virgin olive oil into a blender, then finely grate in the Parmesan. Use tongs to carefully transfer the cavolo leaves and garlic straight into the blender and blitz for a few minutes until super-smooth. Taste and season to perfection with sea salt and black pepper. Drain the pasta, reserving a cupful of cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan and toss with the vibrant green sauce, loosening with a splash of reserved cooking water, if needed, then divide between your plates. Dot over the ricotta, drizzle with a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil, and tuck right in.

Florentine-Feta Rolls

Florentine-Feta Rolls

Florentine-Feta Rolls

4 green onions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 T. olive oil, divided

1 (6 ounce) bag fresh Baby Spinach

1⁄4 cup fresh basil

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 (13 7/8 ounce) package refrigerated pizza dough (I have used both whole wheat dough and crescent rolls with great results!)

1⁄4 cup crumbled feta cheese

2 T. toasted pine nuts

1 T. butter, melted

1⁄4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese

 

Preheat oven to 375. Grease 12 muffin cups and set aside. In a large skillet, heat 1 T. oil and cook green onions and garlic until tender. Add spinach and basil; cook and stir over medium heat until just wilted. Drain off excess liquid. Stir in salt and pepper; set aside to cool. On a well-floured surface, unroll pizza dough and shape into a 12×8 rectangle. Brush surface of dough with remaining olive oil. Spread spinach mixture to within one inch of the edges of the dough. Sprinkle with feta and pine nuts.

Starting with a long side, roll into a spiral. Slice roll into 12 pieces and place cut-side up in prepared muffin cups. Brush with butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand in muffin cups for 2 minutes. Remove carefully and serve warm.

Beef Tri-Tip with Olives & Capers

Beef Tri-Tip with Olives & Capers

Beef Tri-Tip with Olives & Capers

1 pound beef tri-tip, cut into l-inch cubes

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

6 cups sliced Swiss chard, leaves and stems

2 garlic cloves, minced

l (28-ounce) can crushed San Marzano tomatoes with juices

1/3 cup halved pitted kalamata olives

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained

 

Put a large skillet over high heat. Season both sides of the beef with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the pan. Put the beef in the pan and cook, without stirring, for 1 minute. Flip and cook, without stirring, for 1 minute for medium-rare. Remove to a platter. To the pan, add the Swiss chard, garlic, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chard begins to wilt, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes with their juice, the olives, capers, and seared beef (with any accumulated juices) and cook until everything comes together, and the sauce reduces slightly, about 1 minute. Serve.

Orecchiette with Sausage & Swiss Chard

Orecchiette with Sausage & Swiss Chard

Orecchiette with Sausage & Swiss Chard

1 lb. Orecchiette pasta

1 lb. Spicy Italian sausage

1 lb. Swiss chard rough chopped with stems (1/4″ wide)

1 cup Cooked Cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)

8 oz Pasta water

1/2 cup Chopped parsley

1 tablespoon Lemon zest

2 tablespoons Lemon juice

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons Butter

1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil

 

Bring 5 quarts of water to a boil with 3 tablespoons of kosher salt. Cook the pasta until very al dente, about 8 minutes. Remove the pasta to a bowl with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Do not rinse the pasta. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before discarding. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the sausage and brown. Add the Swiss chard and cook down for 2 minutes. Add the reserved pasta water and simmer for 1 minute. Add the beans and pasta and simmer until pasta is done, about 2 more minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest, cheese, parsley, butter, and extra virgin olive oil and it is ready to serve.

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Poached Eggs in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Poached Eggs in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Poached Eggs in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce

2 T. Oil

4 small portobello mushrooms, stems removed

salt and pepper to taste

1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms

1/2 C. hot water

1 T. butter

1 shallot, finely diced

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp. thyme, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 C. cream

1/2 C. parmigiana Reggiano (parmesan), grated

10 ounces spinach, steamed and squeezed to drain

4 eggs

 

Soak the dried porcini mushrooms in the hot water for 20 minutes. Brush the portobello mushrooms with the oil, season with salt and pepper, bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven until tender, about 10-30 minutes, with the gill side up and set them aside to cool. (Note: Roasting time can vary greatly depending on how thick your mushrooms are.) Drain the mushrooms and chop them reserving the water. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the porcini mushrooms, shallots, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the reserved water and simmer at medium-high until reduced by half, about 3-5 minutes. Add the cream and parmigiana Reggiano and simmer until it thickens, about 2-4 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and reduce the heat to medium.

Crack an egg into a bowl, swirl the water in the pot and pour the egg from the bowl into the water and repeat for another egg. Let the eggs cook until the whites are set but the yolks are not, about 2-3 minutes and fish them out. Divide the mushrooms between two plates, top with the spinach, the poached eggs and then pour on the mushroom sauce.

Kettle Style Kale Chips

Kettle Style Kale Chips

Kettle Style Kale Chips

4 C. Curly Kale, tightly packed

1 ½ tsp. EVOO

1 tsp. Sugar

1/8 tsp. Salt

 

Preheat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking sheet and set aside. Wash kale and dry it well using salad spinner or paper towels. Tear out the center stalk and tear leaves into large “chips”. Transfer kale to a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the sugar and salt, tossing the leaves with your hands or tongs to distribute the ingredients. Transfer Kale to the baking pan and bake until leaves are dry and crispy, about 17 – 20 minutes stirring after 10 minutes. No not overbake.

 

Yield: 3 (1 C.) servings

Calories: 40

Fat: 1.5g

Fiber: 1g

Bacon & Berry Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Bacon & Berry Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Bacon & Berry Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

 

Honey Lemon Vinaigrette:

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 T. white wine vinegar

1 T. lemon juice

1 T. honey

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Salad:

6 C. chopped kale

2 C. sliced strawberries

2 C. raspberries

1/2 pound cooked turkey bacon (or regular bacon)

2 small avocados, halved, pit removed, then sliced

 

Honey Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small blender or food processor, combine the ingredients for the vinaigrette: oil, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside. Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the kale with the dressing. Massage the kale to soften. Add the strawberries, raspberries, and bacon. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, top with sliced avocado.

Chicken Bacon Spaghetti

Chicken Bacon Spaghetti


12 oz. spaghetti or angel hair
1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 slices bacon
2 cloves garlic
2 c. diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
3 c. baby spinach
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan
Fresh basil, for garnish

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti or angel hair according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and return to pot. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until cooked through and no longer pink, 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into strips. In a second skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and drain, then chop. Pour off half the bacon fat and add garlic, tomatoes, and spinach to skillet. Season with salt and pepper, then add heavy cream, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup pasta water; let simmer. Add spaghetti or angel hair and toss until fully coated. Add chicken and bacon and toss, then garnish with basil and serve.

Marrow Beans with Swiss Chard and Zesty Lemon

Marrow Beans with Swiss Chard and Zesty Lemon

This is a plump white bean with a creamy texture, it was popular in the U.S. in the 1850’s as a baking bean. They have the flavor of bacon and work well pureed for soup. Great Northern Beans can be substituted.

1 1/2 C. marrow beans
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 large bunch Swiss chard (about 12 oz.)
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 C. chicken or vegetable broth, preferably homemade
Unrefined sea salt, finely ground

Pour the beans into a large mixing bowl, cover with hot water by 2 inches and stir in the baking soda. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to sit on the kitchen counter for at least 18 and up to 24 hours. Drain the beans and rinse them well. Put the soaked beans in a large stockpot and pour in enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Bring them to a boil over medium‑high heat, cover and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain the beans and set aside. Using a sharp paring knife, separate the chard stems from the greens. Finely chop the stems and set them in a small bowl. Stack the leaves on top of one another, roll them into a cigar, and slice crosswise into strips 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the garlic and chopped chard stems and sauté until the garlic softens and the color of the chard stems turns ever so slightly more vibrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes and lemon zest and cook for a minute or two, then add the beans to the skillet. Sauté the beans for 3 to 5 minutes, until they acquire the flavor of the garlic and lemon. Grab chard leaves by the handful and drop them into the hot pan. Stir once or twice to mix them with the beans, then add the broth. Cover and simmer until the chard leaves wilt, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and season with salt. Serve hot.

Kale Salad with Blue Cheese, Cranberries, and Candied Pecans

Kale Salad with Blue Cheese, Cranberries, and Candied Pecans

2 bunches dino kale (aka lacinato kale)
4 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice
1 C. candied pecans
1/2 C. crumbled blue cheese
1/2 C. dried cranberries
salt and pepper
get ingredients

Strip the dino kale leaves from the stem by pinching at the base of the stem and pulling it through. Once all leaves are removed, discard the stems and rinse the leaves well. Dry in a salad spinner or with paper towels. Place the kale in a large bowl. Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar. Drizzle over the kale leaves, then add a pinch of salt and pepper to the greens, and massage the leaves with your fingers. Add the pecans, blue cheese, and cranberries, and toss. The salad is ready to serve. Enjoy!

Whole-wheat Spaghetti with Chard and Ricotta

Whole-wheat Spaghetti with Chard and Ricotta

1 lb. dried whole wheat spaghetti
2 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 T. minced garlic
1 lb. green chard (rinsed, ends trimmed, and coarsely chopped)
1 container (15 oz.) low-fat ricotta
1/3 C. chopped roasted, salted pistachios
1/2 C. freshly grated pecorino or parmesan cheese
1 1/2 T. grated lemon peel
1 T. lemon juice
Salt and pepper

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring about 3 quarts water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender to bite, 7 to 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 C. pasta-cooking water. Return spaghetti to pan. Meanwhile, heat oil in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium heat. Add garlic; stir until fragrant but not brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chard; stir 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 C. of reserved water; cook until chard stems are tender to bite, 6 to 8 minutes. Mix chard mixture into hot spaghetti with ricotta, pistachios, pecorino, lemon peel, lemon juice, remaining 1/2 C. reserved pasta-cooking water, and salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Calories: 430
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 11g

Preserved Lemon Kale Caesar

Preserved Lemon Kale Caesar

a4118d6e194763119b26581aa9812abd4 ounces (about 1/4 loaf) any seeded sourdough bread
2 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large bunch lacinato kale, washed and dried, removed from the stalks, and torn into 2-inch pieces
1 T. red wine vinegar
The flesh of 1 preserved lemon, rinsed under cold water (peel right off of the peel and remove the seeds)
The rind of 1/2 preserved lemon, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tsp. honey
Fresh-ground black pepper
1/3 C. olive oil
1 egg yolk
1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Tear the bread into rough, bite-size pieces and toss with the olive oil and salt. Spread on a baking sheet, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool. Make the dressing: Combine the vinegar, preserved lemon flesh, garlic, honey, and pepper in a blender. Blend until well combined. Then, with the motor running on low speed, slowly add the olive oil through the whole in the lid of the blender. Stop the motor and add the egg yolk. Blend for a few seconds. Pour 3/4 of the dressing over the kale and toss well. Taste, and add more dressing if you think it needs it. Sprinkle the Parmesan, chopped lemon rind, and croutons over top of the salad and toss again.

Potatoes in Garlicky Chard Broth

Potatoes in Garlicky Chard Broth

ab91d9426e3e969a52dd24ad55fd1aa11 pound small potatoes of your choice, scrubbed
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bunch chard, stems removed
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, add cold water to cover by an inch and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 10-12 minutes depending on their size. Drain and halve the potatoes if large and set aside while you prepare the broth. Add the finely chopped garlic along with the tablespoon of olive oil over low heat to a large skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until the garlic starts to sizzle and becomes fragrant. Roughly chop the chard and add to the pan along with ½ cup of the stock. Cook for 2-3 minutes or just until the chard starts to wilt. Add the chard to the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until the chard is finely chopped. Add the potatoes and chard mixture back to the skillet along with the remaining ½ cup of stock and the lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the potatoes are heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Spanakopita (Spinach Pies)

Spanakopita (Spinach Pies)

picKVzuRM5 tablespoons olive oil
1½ cups chopped green onions with some green
1 pound 9 ounces spinach leaves [about 2 bunches], washed, drained and shredded
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill (include some stalks)
salt
7 ounces feta, coarsely shredded
2 eggs, lightly beaten
freshly grated nutmeg
freshly ground black pepper

27 sheets of phyllo pastry* final dimensions 9×10 inches
olive oil, for brushing

To make the filling, choose a nonstick pot that is large enough to take all the spinach. Add the oil and put over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until softened. Add the spinach and a little salt, and cook, covered, until the spinach wilts, turning it through a couple of times. Flick in a little water if necessary, but there should be enough coming from the spinach. Now uncover and simmer until the spinach softens and most of the water has evaporated. Remove to a bowl to cool. Add the dill, feta, eggs, nutmeg and a few grinds of pepper. Mix thoroughly and taste a little for salt.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 12¾ x 8-inch baking dish. Cut your phyllo sheets and keep them covered with a dish cloth to prevent them from drying out. Now you will have to work quickly so that the pastry doesn’t dry and crack, keeping the phyllo you are not working with covered with a dish cloth. Lay 1 phyllo sheet flat on a work surface and brush it well with olive oil. Lay another sheet neatly on top, brush it with oil and repeat once more, so that you have 3 layers. Now dollop 2 heaped tablespoons of filling along one short end, leaving a border of about an inch. Drag the filling into an even line, then roll up the pastry fairly tightly into a cigar shape starting from the spinach end, making one full turn, then turn and tuck the sides over and continue rolling. Brush the surface with oil. Make 8 more rolls in this way and as they are finished, arrange them in the dish side by side so they all fit touching in a row running from one short side to the opposite side, like soldiers all lined up. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden. Cool a dash before serving, as these are best eaten warm.

*The dimensions of commercial phyllo vary from brand to brand, so you will need to work out the number of phyllo sheets you require in the beginning, according to the makers dimensions.

Spinach & Cranberry Salad

Spinach & Cranberry Salad

Cranberry-Spinach-Side-Salad1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted (350 degrees for 10 minutes)
Full pinch paprika

1/2 lb. (8 ounces) spinach, rinsed
1/2 cup fresh, finely diced onion
1/2 cup dried cranberries (I use Craisins)
1/3 cup blanched and slivered almonds (pine nuts or walnuts are also excellent), toasted (350 degrees for 10 minutes)

After rinsing the spinach, pat lightly with clean paper towels to remove any excess water. Set aside to dry further while you make the dressing. To make the dressing: In a small bowl, or a jar/bottle with a tight lid, combine the oil, sugar, vinegars, sesame seeds, and paprika. Whisk or shake well, until thoroughly combined. To make the salad: Toss spinach, onion, cranberries, and almonds in a large bowl until combined. Drizzle all of the dressing over the top of the salad and toss gently to distribute it evenly throughout the salad

Swiss Chard with Beans

Swiss Chard with Beans

2 large bunches Swiss chard
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (15-ounce) can butter beans or white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons tabasco brand Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce
1 teaspoon salt

Remove stems from Swiss chard; coarsely chop Swiss chard. Heat oil in 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot. Add Swiss chard. Cook until wilted, but still bright green, stirring frequently. Stir in beans, tabasco Green Sauce and salt. Cook over medium heat until mixture is heated through.

Cheezy Herb Kale Chips

Cheezy Herb Kale Chips

kalechips1 large bunch of kale, washed and dried (Tuscan preferred, but Curly works)
2 T. olive oil
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 T. water
2 T. nutritional yeast
1 tsp. dried chives
1 tsp. dried parsley
1\2 tsp. garlic powder
1\2 tsp. dried dill
1\2 kosher salt
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into 2-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients. (Olive oil though salt.) Pour over kale and mix well. Spread out in a single layer onto 2 baking sheets. Bake for about 50 minutes, turning the leaves halfway through, about 25 minutes. **At about 40 minutes, I’ll check on them and take out the ones that are already crispy. The leaves will never cook evenly. It helps to remove the crispy ones first and leave the rest so they can continue to bake!

Apple, Kale & Cheddar Melt with Red Onion-Rosemary Marmalade

Apple, Kale & Cheddar Melt with Red Onion-Rosemary Marmalade

For the Red Onion Marmalade

2 large red onions, thinly sliced

2 T olive oil

1/2 t salt

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c balsamic vinegar

1 t fresh rosemary leaves (dried is fine, too)

 

For the sandwich

2 slices of bread (French, sourdough, Italian, etc.)

1/2 T butter

2-3 slices of sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced

1 medium kale leaf, torn in half

1-2 T Red Onion Marmalade

grilled-kale-apple-cheddar-1

Prepare the red onion marmalade. In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium low heat. Add the onions & salt, and cook for about 15 minutes, until softened, translucent, and beginning to caramelize. Add the sugar and cook for another 5 minutes or so. Increase heat to medium, add the balsamic vinegar & rosemary, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the onions have completely caramelized and tender, stirring constantly. (Note: if you need to, reduce the flame just a little during cooking, to ensure the onions don’t burn.) Remove from heat and set aside.* Now for the easy part! Preheat a pan or griddle over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread, and add the cheese, apple slices and onion marmalade to the unbuttered sides. Place on the griddle and cook for about 2 minutes or so, then add the kale. Put both halves together and grill for another 1-2 minutes on each side, until the golden brown on the outside and warm, gooey and melty on the inside. Serve on its own or with a nice salad (a kale one, for good measure!), and enjoy! * The red onion marmalade can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. That is, if it lasts that long!

Curried Kale with Sautéed Apple and Onion

Curried Kale with Sautéed Apple and Onion

1 medium Granny Smith apple (peeled & cored, cut into 1/4″-thick wedges)

2 T. Butter

1 medium Onion

1/3 tsp. curry powder (or to taste)

1 lb. Kale (tough stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped)

1/2 C. water

1/2 tsp. tamari soy sauce (or to taste)

 

Heat Butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chopped Onion, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add apple and curry powder and sauté, stirring, until apple is almost tender, about 2 minutes. Add kale and water and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender and most of liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Drizzle with tamari soy sauce and toss to coat evenly.

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Hortopita – Greek Greens Pie with Feta Cheese

Hortopita – Greek Greens Pie with Feta Cheese

SAMSUNG CSC

7 cups chopped fresh spinach
3 cups chopped chard
1 cup sliced leeks
¾ cup chopped spring onion
¼ cup myronia (wild chervil)
¼ cup kafkalithres (Mediterranean hartwort)
2-3 tablespoons dill
2-3 tablespoons mint
3-4 ounces crumbled feta
1 egg
salt/pepper
½ cup olive oil
6 sheets of phyllo dough
1-2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Wash and chop all the vegetables. Dry well. Heat a pot with 1-2 teaspoon olive oil on low to medium heat, add the greens and heat until spinach is wilted- about 3 minutes and liquids have evaporated. Place spinach in colander and let it drain and cool. Once cool, squeeze the liquids out with your hands, place in large bowl. In a small bow beat the egg and add crumbled feta and a bit of salt and pepper for taste, add to greens and mix well. Take a round 8-9 inch pan and brush with olive oil. Spread a phyllo sheet and cut in half. Place phyllo in pan scrunching it so it fits in the pan, this will make for thicker and crispier base. Brush with olive oil and continue until you have 6 layers (using 3 sheets cut in half). Empty the greens mixture in the pan, spreading evenly. Cover with 6 layers of phyllo using the same technique as before. After placing the last phyllo sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Score the top phyllo layers in 6-8 pieces, do not cut all the way through. Bake in the lower level of the oven for about 45 minutes. I usually place the pie all the way on the bottom directly on the oven for the last 10 minutes for a crunchy crust. Remove and let it cool. It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Simple Garlicky Greens (Kale, Collards or Chard)

Simple Garlicky Greens (Kale, Collards or Chard)

Garlicky-chard21 large bunch greens of your choice (chard, kale, or collard greens)

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced

Juice of 1/2 lemon or apple cider vinegar to taste

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

 

Remove stems and thick mid-ribs from whatever type of greens you are using. Wash the leaves thoroughly, dousing a batch at a time in a large bowl to make sure that all sand and grit are removed. If you’d like to use the midribs, slice them very thinly. Otherwise, discard them (you may want to discard collard stems in any case; they’re pretty tough). Stack a few leaves atop one another and cut into wide strips. Heat the oil in a soup pot or steep-sided stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and sauté over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. Add the greens to the pot and stir to coat with the oil. Add just enough water to keep the bottom of the pot moist. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the greens are bright green and just tender. Swiss chard takes 3 to 5 minutes; kale and collards about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the lemon juice or vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve at once straight from the cooking vessel, or transfer to a covered container to serve from.

 

Sweet Additions: Once cooked, stir in raisins, dried cranberries, currents, or sliced dried apricots or figs. Caramelized onions and shallots add an earthy sweetness as well.

 

Nutty Additions: Sprinkle toasted nuts over the top before serving. Try pine nuts, slivered almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts.

 

Savory Additions: Sliced brine cured olives, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, or capers

 

Spicy Additions: Red Pepper Flakes, fresh seeded and minced chile pepper, or Chili oil, Thai hot sauce, or other hot condiment to taste.

 

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Spinach and Carrot Salad with Ginger Miso Vinaigrette

Spinach and Carrot Salad with Ginger Miso Vinaigrette

1 tablespoon minced ginger
8339_2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon miso paste
3 tablespoons canola oil
4 medium carrots, thinly sliced
4 cups packed spinach, tough stems removed

In a small bowl, combine the ginger, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, miso paste and a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle in the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified. Add more pepper or miso to taste. Thinly slice the carrots on the bias. In a large bowl, toss them with the spinach and a little vinaigrette at a time until the spinach and carrots are lightly coated but not drenched in dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Kale Salad with Cherries and Pecans

Kale Salad with Cherries and Pecans

kale-salad-with-cherries-and-pecans-lg-99991/2 cup pecans
8 ounces Black Kale, also known as Cavolo Nero, or Lacinato, Dinosaur, or Tuscan Kale
4 ounces radishes, sliced into paper-thin rounds
1/2 cup dried cherries
2 ounces soft goat cheese, chilled

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon smooth Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional step: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spread the pecans on a tray. Toast them for 5 to 10 minutes, tossing them once or twice to make sure they toast evenly. Remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool. Wash your kale and let it dry on spread-out kitchen or paper towels. Then, with a knife, remove the rib from each stalk, leaving long strips of kale leaves. Stack the leaves in small batches, roll them tightly the long way, and cut the roll crosswise into thin ribbons. Add the kale ribbons to a large salad bowl. Add the radishes, pecans and cherries. Crumble the goat cheese over top. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small dish, and pour the dressing over the salad. NOTE: This salad is great to eat right away, but even better after 20 minutes of tenderizing in the dressing.

Tomato Spinach Salad

Tomato Spinach Salad

tomato-spinach-salad2 cups fresh spinach
2 tomatoes, cut into chunks or wedges
6 small mozzarella balls, cut in half
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

In a salad bowl, combine spinach, tomatoes, and mozzarella balls. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, honey, and balsamic vinegar. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve.

Roasted Garlic and Smoky Greens Soup Recipe

Roasted Garlic and Smoky Greens Soup Recipe

soupegg3 large garlic heads

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving

2 medium leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced crosswise (white and pale green parts only)

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 medium russet potato, peeled and medium dice

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus more as needed

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

12 ounces kale, tough stems removed and leaves cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 4 cups)

1 cup water

4 poached eggs (optional)

 

Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Peel any loose outer skins from the garlic heads and cut off the top quarter of each head to expose the cloves. Place the garlic heads, cut side up, on a large piece of foil, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the oil over all 3 heads, and wrap tightly to form a foil packet. Place the packet on a baking sheet and bake until the garlic cloves are golden brown and very tender, about 60 to 75 minutes. Remove from the oven, open the packet, and let the garlic sit until cool enough to handle. Squeeze the roasted cloves from their skins and place in a small bowl; set aside. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the leeks, bay leaves, and rosemary, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until the leeks have begun to soften and the herbs are fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the potato, roasted garlic, and paprika, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a bit of crust begins to form on the bottom of the pan, about 10 minutes. Add the broth and, using a wooden spoon, loosen the crusty bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a tightfitting lid, and let simmer until the potatoes are knife tender, about 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and remove the pan from the heat. Using a blender, purée the soup in batches until smooth, removing the small cap from the blender lid (the pour lid) and covering the space with a kitchen towel (this allows steam to escape and prevents the lid from popping off). Place the blended soup in a clean saucepan. (Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender to purée the soup in the original saucepan.)

Return the soup to a simmer over low heat. Add the kale and water and stir to combine. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale is tender but still brightly colored, about 10 to 12 minutes. Taste and add more paprika, salt, and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, season with pepper, and top with a poached egg if desired.

Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup with Chard

Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup with Chard

1 head garlic, unpeeled

1 T. olive oil

1 lg yellow onion, chopped

1 container (32 oz) fat free reduced sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 C leftover smashed new potatoes (about 1/3 recipe)

2 C thinly sliced carrots

1 T. chopped fresh rosemary

1 tsp. dried basil

1 lg bunch Swiss chard, stemmed and chopped (about 8 c)

1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

 

Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice off top third of garlic and discard. Wrap garlic in foil and roast 40 minutes. Let cool. Squeeze roasted garlic from papery skin into small bowl and discard skin. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes or until translucent. Add broth and one third of the garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Working in 2 batches, puree potatoes and onion broth mixture in blender until smooth. Return to pan. Stir in carrots, rosemary, basil, and remaining garlic and cook over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring often. Add chard, return to a simmer, and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add beans and cook 5 minutes longer.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Green Soup with Kale and Potatoes (Caldo Verde)

Green Soup with Kale and Potatoes (Caldo Verde)

The dark green Galician cabbage used by Portuguese cooks for this winter soup is not easily found outside of Portugal, but kale or collard greens can be substituted. Bowls of the soup are often drizzled with chili pepper sauce.

 

1/4 C. plus 4 tsp. olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

3 baking potatoes, about 1 lb total weight, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick

6 C. water

2 tsp. salt, plus salt to taste

3/4 pound kale or collard greens

1/4 pound chourico or linguica sausage

Freshly ground pepper

Chili Pepper Sauce

 

In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the 1/4 C. olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and potatoes and sauté over medium-high heat for a few minutes longer. Add the water and the 2 tsp. salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat until the potatoes are very soft when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, rinse the greens well, drain and remove the tough stems. Working in batches, stack the leaves, roll them up like a cigar and cut crosswise into very thin strips. Set aside.  In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the sausage, turning to brown all sides, until firm and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then cut into slices 1/2 inch thick. Set aside. When the potatoes are ready, remove from the heat and, using a wooden spoon or a potato masher, mash them to a purée in the water in the pan. Return the pan to low heat, add the sliced sausage and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the greens, stir well and simmer, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes. (Do not overcook; the greens should remain bright green and slightly crunchy.) Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into warmed bowls, drizzle each serving with 1 tsp. olive oil and serve hot.

 

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

 

Cheesy Herb Kale Chips

Cheesy Herb Kale Chips

kale1 large bunch of kale, washed and dried

2 T. olive oil

1 T. apple cider vinegar

1 T. water

2 T. nutritional yeast

1 tsp. dried chives

1 tsp. dried parsley

1\2 tsp. garlic powder

1\2 tsp. dried dill

1\2 tsp. kosher salt

 

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into 2-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients. (Olive oil though salt.) Pour over kale and mix well. Spread out in a single layer onto 2 baking sheets. Bake for about 50 minutes, turning the leaves halfway through, about 25 minutes. **At about 40 minutes, I’ll check on them and take out the ones that are already crispy. The leaves will never cook evenly. It helps to remove the crispy ones first and leave the rest so they can continue to bake!

 

1. There’s a variety of different kinds of kale. The most common type is curly kale which I used in this recipe. I’ve also used tuscan kale which is more tender and a little less bitter. I actually prefer to use tuscan kale, but it’s not always available.

 

2. Practice makes perfect. Even though recipes for kale chips are pretty simple, it takes a few tries to get them how you’d like. I’ve tried cooking them at many different temperatures, but have come to a conclusion that their best cooked at lower temperatures for a longer period of time. Cooking them at too high of a temperature causes them to burn easily and results in them being bitter.

 

3. Bake them in a thin layer. You want the kale chips to bake as evenly as they can, so be sure to place them side by side without overlapping.

 

Rapini with Golden Raisins

Rapini with Golden Raisins

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 C. golden raisins, a couple of handfuls

1 1/2 lb. fresh rapini, broccoli rabe, trimmed and coarsely chopped

Salt

1(14-oz.) can chicken broth or 2 C. water

 

Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onions and cook 3 minutes. Add raisins, rapini and season with salt. Add broth or water. Bring liquid to a bubble, then reduce heat to simmer and cover the pan. Cook rapini 12 minutes or until tender and no longer bitter. Remove lid and allow liquid to reduce by 1/2, 2 or 3 minutes. Transfer cooked rapini and plumped raisins to a serving dish.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber: