Boiled Kale

Kale is one of those vegetables that I typically do not even consider cooking - but why? I guess its because I didn't really know how, and I think I've been served both really tough and really over-cooked kale in the past.

This recipe, though, is excellent. I used curly kale, and followed the recipe except I omitted the red pepper flakes (I don't like their flavor). I cooked it about 5 minutes longer than suggested, and added pepper as well as salt. It was excellent. A good flavor, good texture, and eating it made me feel healthy!

Since today is New Year's Day I wanted to fix the traditional things I always fix, collards, black eyed peas, hog jowls and cornbread. I don't always fix them the same way and sometimes want to try new ways but those are the basic things for our traditional southern New Year meal.

I decided to try the boiled kale recipe and substitute the suggested collard greens. This was a good way to fix collards actually a bit healthier than my normal way of seasoning with a smoked ham hock. They tasted really good with the olive oil, onions, garlic and dried red pepper flakes. I did add some extra red pepper flakes as we like our greens a bit on the spicy side. This recipe has four ways to fix the kale and I may try some of the leftovers with one of them.