kale

kale is something that i have been trying to master for a while....the flavors were there every time I cooked it but i could not get the texture right.  my friend travis taught me a trick and it never fails to get the texture exactly perfect...

ingredients/supplies:
-1 bunch of organic kale (this serves two people as a side dish. if making for 1, make 1/2 bunch)
-1 shallot (if you are a garlic lover, substitute 1-2 cloves of garlic for the shallot)
-1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper (if you like spicy food, use 2 teaspoons)
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-salt to taste
-2 dashes of red wine vinegar (optional)
-a knife, cutting board, colander, saute pan with a lid, and spatula

prepping/chopping/cooking:

prepping:
-remove the thick middle stem of the kale
(this is easy to do by holding onto the bottom of the stem and sliding your fingers along either side of the stem.  the leafy greens easily separates from the stem and rips into small pieces in the process so no additional chopping is needed)
-place leafy greens in a colander and rinse throughly.  leave excess water on kale - do not dry
(this is the trick travis taught me.  the excess water is needed for the kale to soften properly while cooking)
-place saute pan on stove

chopping:
-chop shallot or garlic into even slices (shallot is pictured)

cooking:
-heat pan on medium heat
-add olive oil to heated pan
-add shallot (or garlic)
-add red pepper flakes
-saute shallot (or garlic) and the red pepper in olive oil until the shallot is just starting to turn translucent (or the garlic just starts to turn a bit yellowish)
-add kale and saute evenly coating the kale with the oil, red pepper, and shallot (or garlic)
-add 2 pinches of salt (or salt to taste)
-once the kale is bright green (probably about 6 mins of sauteing), lower the heat low and cover for about 10 - 12 mins (make sure to stir  and check on it while it is steaming as it may take less time to soften depending on your stove)
-once the heat is off and the kale is ready, i like to stir in a dash or 2 of red wine vinegar before serving (this optional and is totally a taste preference)

kale is really yummy served as a side with quinoa or potatoes or a sweet veggie like roasted yams...it is also great in the morning with a fried egg.

if you like your greens a bit sweet (a lot of people from the south do), you can add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup to the kale at the end instead of the vinegar....i did this by accident one time...it is was pretty delicious.

enjoy!