WHEAT BERRIES WITH CHARRED ONIONS AND KALE

Wheat Berries with Charred Onions and Kale image

Provided by Oliver Strand

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 cups wheat berries
2 medium onions, halved, divided
5 sprigs thyme
1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more
8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch kale, stemmed, leaves torn into 2" pieces (about 8 packed cups)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Ingredient info: Wheat berries, also called hard wheat, are available at most natural foods stores.

Steps:

Combine wheat berries, 1 onion half, thyme sprigs, and 1 tablespoon salt in a large saucepan; add water to cover by 2". Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer until wheat berries are just tender but still firm to the bite, about 35 minutes. Drain; discard onion and thyme. Place wheat berries in a large bowl; let cool.
Cut remaining 3 onion halves crosswise into 1/2" slices. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add onions. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl with wheat berries. Add 1 tablespoon oil to same skillet. Working in 3 batches, add kale and cook, tossing occasionally, sprinkling with salt and pepper, and adding oil as needed between batches, until charred in spots, about 1 minute per batch. Add to bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and any remaining oil; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.