CREAMY POLENTA WITH TUSCAN KALE

CREAMY POLENTA WITH TUSCAN KALE image

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 bunch (14 to 16 ounces) Tuscan kale, ribs removed
1 cup polenta
-- Kosher or sea salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
-- Freshly grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Bring 2 1/2 quarts of salted water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add the kale and boil until it is just tender, 5-6 minutes. With tongs or a wire-mesh scoop, lift the kale out of the boiling water and into a sieve or colander. Shock the kale under cold running water to stop the cooking. Drain and squeeze dry. Chop medium fine. Measure 4-5 cups of the cooking liquid into a clean saucepan. (Use 4 cups if you like thick polenta, 5 cups if you like it more creamy.) Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the polenta gradually, whisking constantly. Lower the heat to medium and cook, whisking often, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes, then switch to a wooden spoon. Adjust heat to maintain a steady bubble and cook, stirring often, until polenta is smooth and no longer grainy, about 45 minutes. Add chopped kale during the final 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over moderately low heat. Add garlic and saute until it is fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir garlic and oil into polenta and cook for about 2 minutes to diffuse the flavor. Pour the polenta onto a wooden board or a large shallow platter. Let cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the polenta to set up. Sprinkle with grated cheese to taste.