This post is not about chocolate silk pie. It’s not about cheesecake, or anything drizzled with caramel. Come on, everyone knows such foods are tasty. My newest food obsession caught me by surprise. I mean, it’s green, and so healthy that it scores a perfect 1000 on the ANDI index. If Popeye knew about kale, he would probably trade spinach in, but then we’d have to compose a whole new theme song. Yes, people. I am presenting kale as a viable substitution for chocolate.
This post is about a food I used to have to eat while the Mister was away. It began with flirtation. I read about a certain Tuscan kale salad Melissa Clark described in her newest cookbook, In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite. For an entire week, I fantasized about her description of the Raw Tuscan Kale Salad with Chiles and Pecorino; “Tangy, spicy, slick with good oil, and crunchy from earthy-flavored kale, it was as pungent and rich as it was fresh and clean tasting, a veritable raw foods epiphany”. Finally, the moment had arrived. The mister and I had deemed the evening “fend for yourself night”. We’d each eat something simple for dinner, either leftovers, or something tossed together with little effort.
I mentioned my dinner plans to the mister; a raw kale salad tossed with whole wheat penne. He wasn’t so sure, so he pulled a leftover something-or-other from the fridge as I put a pot of hot water on the stove to boil. I washed and chopped a big bunch of Dino kale (aka: lacinto or black kale) into strips, popping a piece into my mouth. I was pleasantly surprised–it was a crunchy, less fibrous, less bitter version of its curly-leaved cousin I was used to.
I whisked together the dressing: garlic mashed into a paste with kosher salt, olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. My taste buds immediately woke up and did a little dance, as with a good caesar salad dressing. While waiting for the pasta to cook, After tossing the dressing with the kale, I chowed down on half the bowl of salad before tossing the remaining salad with some whole wheat penne. Then, I invited the mister to have a taste. Long story short, I don’t have to get my kale fix while he is away anymore.
- 1 large bunch dino kale (aka black, Tuscan, or Lacinato), rinsed and dried
- 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ cup finely grated parmigiano reggiano, plus additional for garnish (omit to make non-dairy)
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for garnish
- freshly squeezed juice from 2 lemons (plus extra, for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 16 ounce package whole wheat or brown rice (gf) penne
- In a large saucepan, bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions.
- In the meantime, chop the kale into ½ inch ribbons and put in a large bowl.
- On a cutting board, mince the garlic cloves. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and smash into a paste using a fork or the side of a chefs knife. transfer the garlic paste to a small bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, grated parmigiano, red pepper flakes, the remaining ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. Whisk together until combined.
- Pour the dressing into the large bowl with the kale and toss well until the kale is thoroughly coated.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, drain, and set aside for a minute or so to cool slightly.
- Then, add the pasta to the large bowl with the kale salad, tossing well to combine.
- Garnish individual servings of pasta with an extra squeeze of lemon juice, a light sprinkling of kosher salt, and a few gratings of parmigiano reggiano. Serve warm or at room temperature.
This recipe sounds delicious. I always thought kale was the “rabbit food” my mother used to gather from the fields when I was a child. I am totally unfamiliar with it but have noticed a lot of takers when I go to the market. You have made this so delectable that I am anxious to try it. I love pasta and this is a very healthy combination, Jenny. Thank you.
Hi grandma! I hope you do try it:)
This looks and sounds so wonderful to me! I love kale but don’t cook with it nearly often enough. I’ll be trying this soon, for sure. (Also, my post for tomorrow is chocolate silk pie – haha!)
Annie–That’s hilarious (and looks delicious)! Maybe the kale and the pie somehow balance each other out?
As far back as I can remember greens were a big part of our family meals. I am anxious to try this one and enjoy the smells of Grandmother’s kitchen when I was younger. I love all kinds of greens….a real Popeye, but this sounds soooooooooooo good. Hugs
You make it sound wonderful and it seems easy enough. I wonder if I can get this variety at my Krogers….
I’ve got that Kale growing in my garden. I’m making this! Thanks! I usually just cook it all down with garlic, onion and olive oil and freeze it. This looks really good, thanks!
Your way sounds good too–I’ll have to try it. I’m planning on growing dino kale this gardening season too, so I should have plenty!
I just planted a ton of kale… happy to have found this recipe and your site!
Not sure my mister will be excited either when he sees me chopping up the kale but oh well…
Oh, your mister will come around, just like mine did:) I’m glad you found me! I just checked out your blog and love it!
I just made this delicious dish, it’s simple, healthy and oh so yummy! I substituted whole wheat penne for gluten free penne. Thank you!
JD