Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Kale
- 1 1/2 pounds kale, about 2 bunches
- Salt
- 1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- A large pinch of dried chile flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- Parmesan or Romano cheese
- Remove the tough stems from the kale leaves.
- Discard the stems, and coarsely chop the greens.
- Rinse the kale and drain.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and season with a generous amount of salt.
- Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, tender but still firm.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat.
- Add about half the oil, the onion, chili flakes, and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and lightly colored, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- (If the onion begins to scorch, reduce the heat to medium.)
- Add the kale and cook, stirring and tossing, until the kale is wilted and tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add water to the pan if the greens are dry, and if the greens are on the sturdy side, cover the pan briefly to steam them.
- Add the garlic, season with salt, and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Take care that the garlic does not brown.
- Drain the pasta when cooked, reserving some of the pasta water.
- Add the pasta to the saute pan and toss to combine.
- Loosen with a splash of the cooking water if needed, and taste for salt.
- Transfer the pasta to a warm platter or serving bowls, and drizzle a thin stream of olive oil on top.
- Garnish with shavings of Parmesan or Romano cheese, and serve immediately.
- Use other greens in place of the kale: broccoli rabe (rapini), chard, beet greens, or turnip greens.
- Adjust the cooking time depending on the maturity and tenderness of the greens.
- Finish the sauteed kale with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of red wine vinegar, and garnish the pasta with shavings of ricotta salata cheese.
- Use only 3 tablespoons of olive oil and add 1/4 pound of diced pancetta to the pan before adding the onion.
- Cook the pancetta until it is lightly browned, but not crisp.
- Remove the pancetta from the pan and set aside.
- Continue the recipe as directed, and return the pancetta to the pan when you add the pasta.
kale, salt, olive oil, onion, chile flakes, garlic, parmesan
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/whole-wheat-spaghetti-with-kale-387363 (may not work)