Spaghetti with Braised Kale

This is one of those recipes that proves that a few simple ingredients can really come together in a beautiful and delicious way. The slow cooking of onions and garlic make a wonderfully sweet base for this dish. The lemon juice is key, and I seasoned ours with some salt and pepper at the end. This was comforting and delicious, and Dino even said that I could make this for dinner every night and he'd be happy. Good to know! I used kale from the garden fairy, and whole wheat linguine. It was great!

Spaghetti with Braised Kale
Bon Appétit October 2009

1 pound lacinato kale (about 2 bunches), large center ribs and stems removed, cut crosswise into ½-inch slices
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
8 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½ pound spaghetti
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Finely grated Parmesan cheese

Rinse kale. Drain; transfer to bowl with some water still clinging.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Add sliced garlic and sprinkle with salt; cook until onion is golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add kale and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss until wilted, about 3 minutes. Cover pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking until kale is very tender, stirring occasionally and adding water by teaspoonfuls if dry, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in medium pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving ¼ cup cooking liquid. Add cooked spaghetti to kale mixture in pot. Add lemon juice and 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid; toss to combine, adding more liquid by tablespoonfuls if dry. Sprinkle spaghetti with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

Big Flavors Rating: 5 Stars