Spaghetti with Almonds and Kale

Now that Christmas is over, it is time to get back to talking about real food, not just yummy desserts!

After spending two fantastic weeks with my parents, it was time to get back to reality of alarm clocks and where the cooking and laundry is completed by yours truly.  I decided to make pasta last night, and with a little inspiration from my trusty sidekick, Pinterest, I whipped up a healthy vegetarian dish filled with great nutrients which for many were in short supply during the holidays.

Ingredients

5 oz dried pasta

1/2 bunch of kale, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 sticks celery, chopped

1/4 cup almonds

1/4 onion, finely chopped

1/4 bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, smashed

3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Directions

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente.

2. Approximately 10 minutes before pasta is due to be ready, heat EVOO in large saucepan.  Once hot, add carrots, celery, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.  Continually stir to prevent burning until ingredients are soft.

3. Add kale to saucepan and cook for approximately 5 minutes until tender.

4. Drain pasta, keeping 1/2 cup of the pasta water.  Add pasta, almonds, and pasta water to the vegetables.  Stir and cover saucepan and allow to cook on low for 5-7 minutes.

5. Serve warm with pepper and a sprinkle of cheese to taste.

(Recipe adapted from dinnerdujour.org)

Serves 2 people

TIPS

- Be sure to wash all vegetables before chopping them.  Discard tough stems of kale and wash  thoroughly in a colander under warm water.  
- For a little spice to this dish, add Louisiana hot sauce!

Bon appétit!

Baked Ham with Kale

I have officially left my parents' spacious kitchen for my cozy apartment in the busy metropolis of Kansas City.  It has been a whirlwind of a week, but I am finally getting settled and able to find time to update with some great, tasty dishes!

One of the first meals made in my new humble abode was baked ham and kale.  Instead of purchasing prepackaged sandwich meats from the local grocery store, my Mum has always been a proponent of buying large cuts of meat, baking them, then slicing and freezing them in portions.  It costs about the same as prepackaged meat, but it is definitely much tastier!

Ingredients

1 package meat of your choice (raw or pre-cooked)
1 bundle of kale
4 potatoes
Squeeze of lemon juice
1/2 tsp sugar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
Salt

Directions

1. Cook ham according to directions on package, approx 30 minutes per pound at 400F.

2. Wash and cut potatoes, place in saucepan (leaving the skins on preserves fiber and vitamin C).  Cover potatoes with water and sprinkle with salt.
3. Cook potatoes on high until boiling (approx 10 minutes) and turn down to #4 for 20 minutes.
4. Wash kale and cut into slices.
5. About 7 minutes before potatoes are due to be finished, pour 2 tbsp EVOO into frying pan on high heat.
6. Once steam is coming off EVOO, add kale to frying pan.  WARNING: due to high temperatures, EVOO may spit and burn your skin.  Be careful!
7. Stir constantly to prevent burning for 5 minutes or until kale is slightly dark in color.
8. Add salt, a squeeze of lemon juice, and sugar to combat kale's slight bitterness.

9. Serve with a glass of white wine.

Serves 2-3 people, plus plenty of leftover ham

TIPS

- May serve ham hot or cold after cooked.
- Kale is a bitter vegetable, but very healthy for you!  Adding 1/2 tsp sugar and lemon juice at the end adds a little more flavor.

Bon appétit!