Best 4 Tuscan Kale With Orecchiette Recipes

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Tuscan kale, also known as Tuscan cabbage or Italian kale, is a hearty and flavorful green that is a staple in Italian cuisine. It is typically cooked with olive oil, garlic, and chili peppers, and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to pasta and salads. Orecchiette, small ear-shaped pasta, is a perfect complement to Tuscan kale. It holds the kale and sauce well, and its chewy texture contrasts nicely with the tender greens.

This article features three delicious recipes that showcase the best of Tuscan kale and orecchiette:

* **Tuscan Kale with Orecchiette and Sausage:** This classic dish is a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The sausage adds a rich, meaty flavor to the dish, while the kale and orecchiette provide a healthy and filling base.
* **Tuscan Kale and Orecchiette Soup:** This soup is a light and refreshing way to enjoy Tuscan kale. The broth is flavorful and packed with vegetables, and the orecchiette adds a touch of heartiness.
* **Tuscan Kale and Orecchiette Salad:** This salad is a great way to enjoy Tuscan kale raw. The kale is massaged with olive oil and lemon juice, which helps to tenderize it and bring out its flavor. The orecchiette adds a touch of chewiness and substance to the salad.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ORECCHIETTE WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND KALE



Orecchiette With Tomato Sauce and Kale image

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

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (14-ounce) can tomatoes with juice, pulsed a few times in a food processor or mini processor
Pinch of sugar
Salt to taste
A few sprigs of fresh basil, if available
1/2 pound curly green kale or black kale, stemmed and washed thoroughly
12 ounces orecchiette
1 ounce (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan, pecorino Romano or a combination (more to taste)

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

CRISPY TUSCAN KALE



Crispy Tuscan Kale image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 large bunch Tuscan kale
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Pinch crushed red pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  • Remove the tough lower stems of the kale. Toss the kale generously with olive oil, salt and crushed red pepper.
  • Lay the dressed leaves in a single layer on a sheet tray (use more than one if you need to!) and place in the oven. Roast the kale or until the leaves are crispy, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Serve as a snack or side dish.

TUSCAN KALE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND RED-WINE VINEGAR



Tuscan Kale with Caramelized Onions and Red-Wine Vinegar image

Tuscan kale, also known as cavolo nero, dinosaur kale, and lacinato kale, is sweeter and more tender than regular kale, which can be used instead but may require more cooking time.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced into half-moons
1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, divided
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 pound Tuscan kale, middle stems removed, leaves cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

Steps:

  • Combine oil, onion, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saute pan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Add vinegar to pan, and raise heat to medium-high. Add kale, 1/4 cup water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until kale begins to soften, about 3 minutes. As the pan becomes dry, add another 1/4 cup water, and cook until the kale is tender, about 3 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 105 g, Fat 4 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 4 g, Sodium 410 g

TUSCAN KALE SALAD



Tuscan Kale Salad image

Kale salad may someday go the way of other clichéd salads of yore - the bean salad, the chef's salad, the beet salad with goat cheese. But like all those other venerable mixtures, its ubiquity is due in large part to how good it can be. Take a bunch of raw Tuscan kale (also called lacinato or black kale), which is more delicate than other varieties, and slice it into ribbons. Toss those ribbons with a thick bright dressing of garlic paste, pecorino, lemon juice, olive oil and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Top with freshly toasted bread crumbs and a flurry of pecorino. The leaves are sturdy enough to stand up to the bold flavors and varying textures, but tender when you take a bite.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     easy, quick, salads and dressings

Time 20m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 bunch Tuscan kale (also known as black or lacinato kale)
1 thin slice country bread (part whole-wheat or rye is nice), or 1/4 cup homemade bread crumbs (coarse)
1/2 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely grated pecorino cheese, more for garnish
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, more for garnish
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Trim bottom 2 inches off kale stems and discard. Slice kale, including ribs, into 3/4-inch-wide ribbons. You should have 4 to 5 cups. Place kale in a large bowl.
  • If using bread, toast it until golden on both sides. Tear it into small pieces and grind in a food processor until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
  • Using a mortar and pestle, or with the back of a knife, pound garlic into a paste. Transfer garlic to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper flakes and black pepper, and whisk to combine. Pour dressing over kale and toss very well to thoroughly combine (dressing will be thick and need lots of tossing to coat leaves).
  • Let salad sit for 5 minutes, then serve topped with bread crumbs, additional cheese and a drizzle of oil.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 40, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 156 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-washed kale. If using fresh kale, remove the stems and roughly chop the leaves.
  • For a vegetarian version of this dish, omit the pancetta or guanciale.
  • If you don't have orecchiette, you can use another short pasta shape, such as penne or fusilli.
  • Serve this dish immediately, garnished with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

Conclusion:

Tuscan kale with orecchiette is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of kale, pancetta or guanciale, garlic, and chili flakes, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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