Kale: It's Not Just for a Red Lobster Garnish Anymore!

KELLY * June 27 * Brunch

Okay, so it's Sunday morning. We've already had an amazing and giant storm. The breeze is blowing through the sun room windows. I started the day off by watching (500) Days of Summer for class while searching "kale egg" on the world wide internets. I enjoy letting Liz sleep and then waking her up with ideas of what she can cook for me. This recipe seemed to maximize items from the box and farmer's market items we're still trying to polish off (kale, parsley, green onions, red jalapeños, etc.). I fully admit that I was a little wary of kale. I had really known it only as the garnish (with lemon) when I frantically plated shrimp, clams, etc. Well, I'll be damned. Kale is tasty! Liz, tell the folks about our breakfast.

ELIZABETH * June 27 * Brunch

Thank you, Diana Dyer, for the inspiration!

I too am fairly new to kale - I have put it in soups a couple times, where it is great because it stays together better than other greens (spinach gets squishy, chard turns brown...). Kale cooks longer and stays chewy, so it holds up to soup cooking and storage. However, I never would have thought of this dish but for Diana, but we're sure glad she did! Using her great recipe as a jump-off, I fried our diced potatoes (small red, Visser's Holland MI), substituted (for her roasted red pepper) some of the bottomless box of Visser's red jalapenos (still two left!) which I sauteed with CSA green onions and garlic (From China. Why do we import garlic from China!?! Made me sad to buy it but it was a garlic emergency.) I added the kale and steamed it with the sauteed peppers and onions, added some chopped parsley, then cracked the eggs right on top. Decorating the top with the fried potatoes, some chopped tomato, and some Durango Chile Powder and Smoked Salt (Central Market Austin!), I put the lid on and waited (not patiently) for the eggs to set. Then we ate it. With toast (white with poppy seeds from Levinson's Bakery in Chicago). This is my favorite kind of dish - flavorful, fresh, rich, easy, and with no set recipe. You could throw anything in there. Great start to the day! Off to clean closets Woo Hoo!