Curly Kale With Caramelized Onions Recipes

KALE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat oil in large pan.
• Add chopped onions and garlic.
• Sauté until onions are clear and begin to caramelize. Stir often. Do not allow garlic to burn.
• Add torn kale.
• Toss with onions and garlic.
• Cook until kale is wilted.
• Sprinkle with a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar if desired.
• (Thanks reviewers for reminding me of removing the stems!).

CREAMED CURLY KALE

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it aside.
• Set a large stock pot full of salted water to boil over high heat. Add the kale ribbons to the boiling water and blanch until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes. Scoop the kale from the water and toss it into the ice bath to stop it cooking and set its color. Let cool, then drain the kale in a large colander. Squeeze any excess water out of the kale and set it aside.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the minced onion. Cook until translucent, then add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook another 2 minutes. Add the kale and the cream and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cream thickens to a sauce consistency, about 5 minutes. Melt in Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
• Serve as is, or process in a food processor to achieve the texture you desire.

BRAISED TUSCAN KALE WITH PANCETTA AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Cut out a round of parchment paper to fit just inside a 5- to 6-quart heavy ovenproof pot, then set round aside.
• Blanch kale in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water in 2 batches, 2 minutes per batch, transferring with tongs to a colander as blanched, then drain well.
• Warm oil in 5- to 6-quart pot over moderate heat, then add pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer pancetta with a slotted spoon to a plate and reserve, discarding all but 1/4 cup of fat in pot (if necessary).
• Tie thyme, bay leaf, and parsley together with kitchen string to make a bouquet garni and add to pot along with onions and garlic. Cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Return pancetta to pot then add butter and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir in kale and add enough stock to cover three fourths of kale. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. Cover kale directly with parchment round, then transfer pot to oven and braise, stirring once or twice, until kale is very tender, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer pot to stovetop and discard parchment, then boil mixture, stirring occasionally, until almost all of liquid is evaporated but kale is still moist, about 35 minutes. Discard bouquet garni and garlic and season kale with salt and pepper.