Best Easy Garlic Kale Recipes

GARLIC KALE

Steps:

• Tear the kale leaves into bite-size pieces from the thick stems; discard the stems.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the garlic in the hot oil until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the kale and continue cooking and stirring until the kale is bright green and wilted, about 5 minutes more.

SAUTEED KALE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored. Raise heat to high, add the stock and kale and toss to combine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add vinegar.

SAUTEED KALE WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Cook 5 sliced garlic cloves in 1/4 cup olive oil in a pot over medium-low heat until sizzling, 1 minute. Add 1 pound chopped kale and stir until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until tender, 5 minutes.

LEMON GARLIC SAUTEED KALE

Steps:

• Rinse the kale, and then pull the leaves from the stems. Discard the stems or save to add to homemade stock another day. Coarsely chop kale leaves into randomly shaped pieces, about 2 inches large.
• Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic is soft, but before it browns.
• Add the chopped kale leaves, stock, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, tossing the kale around the pan occasionally, until the kale turns bright green, is soft and is wilted, about 7 to 8 minutes. If before the kale is tender, the liquid evaporates, add a little bit more to the pan.
• Taste and adjust with additional salt, and then finish by stirring in the juice from half a lemon.

SAUTéED KALE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan set over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add garlic, and cook until soft.
• Add kale to the pan, turn the heat to high and add the stock. Use a spoon to toss the greens in the oil and stock, then cover and cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, until it is soft and wilted, but still quite green. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has evaporated, another 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and peppers, add vinegar and toss to combine.

LEMON-GARLIC KALE SALAD

Steps:

• In a toaster oven or skillet, toast almonds until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
• In a bowl, combine lemon juice and 1 heaping teaspoon salt. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Add garlic cloves and set aside to steep.
• Working in batches, cut the kale into thin ribbons: gather a large handful of leaves, bunch together tightly, and use the other hand to slice into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. This need not be done very precisely or neatly; the idea is to end up with a kind of slaw. (Recipe can be made up to this point 1 day ahead. Keep kale and dressing refrigerated separately.)
• Place chopped kale in a very large bowl. Sprinkle surface with almonds and then with cheese, if using. Remove and discard garlic cloves from dressing. Pour half the dressing over the salad and toss. Taste for dressing and salt and add more as needed, tossing to coat thoroughly. Serve within 1 hour.