Kale Pasta

I love this simple kale dish and make it almost every week.  The combination of garlic, onions, and lemon juice mixed in with the kale gives this dish its delicious flavor.

Kale Pasta

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 large bunch of kale, large center ribs removed, chopped or torn into small pieces, and rinsed

4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided

1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped

5 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

4-6 oz. whole-wheat spaghetti pasta

Juice from 1 large lemon

Generous sprinkling of sea salt

Red pepper flakes, to taste (we like a lot!)

Sprinkling of shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat.  Add onion and and garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
2. Add kale, remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil and salt, toss until wilted, about 3 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium low, and cook until kale is tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Add drained pasta to kale mixture, along with lemon juice.  Toss to combine.  Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and salt to taste.

A sprinkling of shredded Parmesan cheese over the pasta, and a side of garlic bread is delicious with this dish.

Kitchen Note:  Kale, like other leafy greens, cooks down to about one quarter of its raw size, so if you're not a kale gardener, buy one to two bunches of kale at the grocery store for this dish.