Tuscan kale, also known as cavolo nero or black cabbage, is a popular leafy green vegetable prized for its hearty flavor and versatility in cooking. When paired with orecchiette, a small, ear-shaped pasta, the result is a delicious and savory dish that is both nutritious and visually appealing. This article will explore the best recipes for cooking Tuscan kale with orecchiette, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for creating a flavorful and memorable meal.
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TUSCAN KALE WITH ORECCHIETTE
This recipe is adapted from Sarah Copeland's forthcoming book, "Feast" (Chronicle Books).The deep savoriness of tuscan kale, a backyard-garden staple in northern Italy, makes a superb foundation for soups, sides, and vegetarian mains. In this deceptively simple dish (the onions are essentially quick-pickled right in the pan), the orecchiette is practically treated as a condiment. As soon as you sit at the table, stir a few slices of semisoft goat cheese into the hot greens and pasta until they soften. You'll think to yourself, I could live on this stuff.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until onion is softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar and toss to coat. Add vinegar and cook until completely reduced, about 1 minute. Season mixture with salt and remove from skillet.
- Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Add kale in batches and cook, stirring, until greens are wilted and just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt. Return onion mixture to pan, stir to combine, and cook until just heated through.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta.
- Return pasta to pot, along with kale, butter, and Pecorino. Cook over medium heat, stirring and adding enough pasta water to form a light sauce that coats pasta. Add nutmeg to taste and season with salt. Divide among 4 bowls and serve each with a few thin slices of goat cheese on top and red-pepper flakes to taste.
ORECCHIETTE WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND KALE
This is true to the Apulian tradition of serving chopped greens with orecchiette, those little ear-shaped pasta, though the greens might be different in Apulia and the combination doesn't always include a tomato sauce. Since I've always got tomato sauce in my freezer, it's an easy dish to throw together. This winter version is made with canned tomatoes.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, pastas, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a wide skillet or saucepan and add the garlic and red pepper flakes. As soon as the garlic begins to smell fragrant (30 seconds to 1 minute), add the tomatoes, sugar, salt and basil sprigs and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is thick and fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasoning.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the kale. Blanch for 2 to 4 minutes, until tender but still bright green. Using a skimmer, transfer to a bowl of cold water. Do not drain the pot of water. Drain the kale and squeeze out excess water. Chop medium-fine and stir into the tomato sauce.
- Bring the pot of water back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente, 10 to 11 minutes, or according to the cooking directions on the package. Drain and toss with the tomato and kale mixture right in the pan. Add the Parmesan, toss again and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 419, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 73 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 590 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams
ORECCHIETTE WITH KALE AND BREADCRUMBS
With a bag of frozen kale in your freezer, this elegant dish comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Provided by Sara Jenkins
Categories Pasta Dinner Kale Anchovy Breadcrumbs Bon Appétit Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Working in batches, cook kale in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, transfer to a rimmed baking sheet; let cool. Set aside pot with water. Squeeze out excess liquid from kale; chop leaves and finely chop stems; set aside.
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring often, until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add one-third of chopped garlic and cook, stirring often, until breadcrumbs are golden, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; let cool.
- Heat butter and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add anchovies, red pepper flakes, and remaining two-thirds of chopped garlic; cook, mashing anchovies with a spoon, until a paste forms, about 2 minutes. Add reserved kale and 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring often, until kale is warmed through, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, bring reserved kale cooking liquid to a boil; add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.
- Add pasta and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to kale mixture and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium and continue stirring, adding more cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta. Mix in Parmesan and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; toss to combine. Divide pasta among bowls, drizzle with oil, and top with remaining breadcrumbs.
Tips:
- Choose fresh, tender kale for the best flavor and texture.
- Use a large skillet or pot to cook the kale, as it will wilt down significantly.
- Add the kale to the skillet in batches, if necessary, to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook the kale until it is wilted and tender, but still has a bit of a bite to it.
- Season the kale with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Serve the kale immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Tuscan kale with orecchiette is a simple but flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The kale is wilted and tender, with a slightly bitter flavor that is balanced by the sweetness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the cheese. The orecchiette pasta provides a hearty base for the dish, and the whole thing is topped with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table, and it is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
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