Gingery Kale Gratin

By gingerroot • September 1, 2011 • 9 Comments

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Author Notes: My family loves to top pizza with a combination of kale, slivered almonds and feta. Here, I have gussied up our favorite pizza topping for a lovely stand alone side. Sautéing ginger in butter coaxes out its natural sweetness, especially in contrast with the greens, though it ends with a subtle bite. Cream rounds out the flavors while feta adds a tangy punch. - gingerroot

Serves 4-5 as a side

2 large bunches kale, I used Red Russian and Lacinato (about 2 lbs)
1/4 cup minced fresh ginger (from about a peeled 2 inch piece)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons water
1/3 cup sliced, blanched almonds, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
For Red Russian kale, cut about an inch below leaves. Save stems for another use or the worm bin. For lacinato kale, trim off about two inches from the ends. Wash leaves thoroughly, but do not dry. You want some water clinging to the leaves. Make sure to check all of the nooks and crannies under the lacinato kale for hitchhikers.
Place rinsed leaves in a large pot, layering lacinato kale on the bottom, if using. Crank the heat up to medium and cover pot. Keep a close eye on your greens, tossing with a wooden utensil once they start to steam. As soon as they wilt and turn bright green, remove them from pot and set aside to cool. Once cool, gently squeeze out any excess liquid and chop.
Heat butter and olive oil in a small skillet set over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic, cooking, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about a minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Pour sautéed ginger and garlic into a shallow gratin dish or similar ovenproof vessel, making sure to scrape out all the butter and oil as well. Spread mixture around bottom of the dish, essentially buttering it. Add chopped kale to dish and gently mix well to combine. NOTE: An ovenproof skillet will do in a pinch. If you decide to go this route, make sure you saute the ginger and garlic in a skillet large enough to accommodate the greens and cheese/cream mixture.
Thoroughly combine feta, cream and water in a bowl, using a fork to mash any large pieces of cheese. Spoon mixture over the gingery greens, and press down on the cheese slightly. Sprinkle chopped almond slivers over the top. Pop in the oven for 15 minutes, until the top is just beginning to brown. Remove and serve immediately. Enjoy!