Garlic-Sautéed Kale Rapini
Rich and vibrant, beautiful kale rapini is seasoned with fresh garlic in this appealing side dish.
Ingredients:
1 large bunch kale rapini
3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Once boiling, drop the rapini into the water to quickly blanch the greens (this will only take a minute, the dark greens will become a brighter green once softened).
2. Meanwhile heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat, then add the garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove kale rapini greens from the pot and place directly into the sauté pan, seasoning well with salt and pepper. Toss all the ingredients together. Once greens are almost fully wilted, about 1-2 minutes, remove from the heat and serve.
Variation: This dish is also delightful with the addition of ¼ cup raisins, 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts and a splash of balsamic vinegar once the kale is sautéed with the garlic; serve warm or at room temperature.
Pistou
This incredibly-flavorful sauce is the perfect accent to this week’s rustic stew.
Ingredients:
1 cup stemmed basil leaves
¼ cup chopped tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon pine nuts, lightly toasted
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a food processor, combine the basil, tomatoes, garlic and pine nuts. Pulse to chop, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
2. Once all the ingredients are evenly chopped, run the processor and drizzle in the olive oil in a slow stream. Once the oil is incorporated, stop the processor and season the pistou with salt and pepper to taste. The pistou will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for several days.
Carrot Top Pesto
This verdant pesto from Diane Morgan’s Roots would be wonderful drizzled over this week’s risotto for added brightness!
Ingredients:
1 cup lightly-packed carrot leaves
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic scape
3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, or other favorite nut such as pecans, walnuts or almonds
¼ cup grated Grana-style cheese
Sea salt
Method:
1. In a food processor, combine the carrot leaves, oil, garlic scape, and salt, and process until finely minced. Add the pine nuts and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Parmesan and pulse just until combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.
Roasted Walla Walla Onions with Pine Nut Butter
This classic side dish from Tom Douglas’ Dahlia Lounge restaurant is often served over a bed of sautéed Swiss chard.
Ingredients:
4 medium Walla Walla sweet onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup pine nuts, toasted
3 ounces unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Additional pine nuts, lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Peel onions and cut them in half, top to bottom. Brush onions with oil and place cut side down on a preheated grill or grill pan. Barbecue until grill marks form. Place on a cookie sheet and finish cooking in the oven until tender, about 25 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the pine nut butter. Place the ½ cup pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times until finely ground. Add butter, lemon zest, rosemary, black pepper and salt. Process until mixture is well blended. Spread the tender onions liberally with pine nut butter. Return to the oven to cook just until butter is melted, about 2 minutes.
3. Serve onions warm, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese and additional toasted pine nuts. Garnish plates with lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs if desired.
