Kale is nobody's favorite food.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:03:59 +0000

Greens get a bad rap.

People say they are tough and bitter, the leaves big and thick, ruffly and ribbed. Those of us not blessed with a southern upbringing look slightly cross-eyed at slow-cooked, grayish collards and kale, smoky with slab bacon and sharp with vinegar. (They are a taste well worth acquiring!) With today's busy schedules, cooking greens for hours is, at best, relegated to a Sunday supper.

That's why I love sautéing them to cook them quickly. Cut into thin ribbons, they no longer have the mouthfeel of new-mown lawn clippings. Sweet dried fruit, plumped up in concentrated balsamic vinegar cuts the greens' bitterness and brightens the flavor - as does a healthy pinch of salt with each batch you add to the pan. If you hate kale, or have never tried it; if you've read about how healthy it is and thought, "so is tee-totalling, but I'm not about to start that," this is the time to dig in. Enjoy!

Sautéed Kale with Dried Fruit

Serves 4-6

Need something fresh and bright for your winter table? The grassy, chlorophyll notes of kale lose their bitterness to the balance of sweet fruit and rich balsamic vinegar. Bonus! This delicious and colorful dish comes together in just 5-7 minutes on the stove.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, cherries or blueberries

• 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbs olive oil

• 1/2 red onion, diced

• 1/2 pound kale, de-ribbed and cut in thin ribbons

Directions:

• Warm vinegar and fruit in a small saucepan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

• Heat oil in a 12” skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes.

• Turn heat to medium high and add kale in batches. Sprinkle each batch with a pinch of salt. Add more when the previous batch has just started to wilt. Toss with fruit and vinegar and season to taste with salt, pepper, and additional vinegar as needed.