Wilted Kale with Shitake Mushrooms & Garlic Recipe |
Fresh Kale (photo by MissyRedBoots, courtesy of morguefile.com)
“The Food Shed: Cooking Local and Seasonal” was a class we attended at Manhattan’s Institute of Culinary Education, a terrific evening of cooking with fresh ingredients from local farms. The class was presented by Chef-Instructor Melanie Underwood. She’s been cooking with farm fresh ingredients since her days growing up on a farm in Virginia. One local and seasonal ingredient the Chef selected for the class was kale. The George Mateljan Foundation’s web site says of kale:
The beautiful leaves of the kale plant provide an earthy flavor and more nutritional value for fewer calories than almost any other food around. Although it can be found in markets throughout the year, it is in season from the middle of winter through the beginning of spring when it has a sweeter taste and is more widely available.
Kale belongs to the Brassica family, a group of vegetables that includes broccoli, cabbage, collards and Brussels sprouts. Researchers have noted the group for its superb cancer-fighting properties. Look for organic kale to avoid pesticide residues, or get it from a local farmer who you know and trust not to use pesticides.
A tip from Chef Melanie: Use fresh garlic from your local farmers market, you’ll taste the difference.
Ingredients for 4 Servings
• 2 Tablespoons Stella Cadente L’Autunno Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 8 Ounces shitake mushrooms
• 4 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Large bunch of kale, trimmed & cleaned
Preparation
1. In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook another minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and heat over medium heat, add kale and toss, cooking about 5 minutes, add in shitake and garlic mixture to reheat.
4. Serve immediately.
Chef Melanie Underwood
To learn more about a world class, hand-picked olive oil from Mendocino, California, go to: L'Autunno Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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