Kale Cheddar Gratin

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 pound kale, washed, stemmed, and cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/5 cups milk
• 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color)
• a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil, for greasing the baking pan

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Wash, stem, and chop up the kale into small pieces.
3. Add a couple tablespoons of water to a large stockpot and add the kale. Cook the kale over medium heat for about 2 or 3 minutes, or just until it’s started to wilt.
4. Drain the kale through a colander and squeeze out a little bit of the liquid. Let the kale continue to drain as you grate the cheddar cheese.
5. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium low heat.
6. Stir the flour into the butter, then add the milk a couple tablespoons at a time, stirring constantly until the mixture has formed a thick and smooth sauce.
7. Add salt, pepper, turmeric (if using), and nutmeg. Add in the cheese, stirring constantly until melted.
8. Grease a baking pan (8″ x 8″) with olive oil and add the kale.
9. Pour the cheese sauce over the kale and tip the baking pan back and forth to make sure all the kale is covered in cheese.
10. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling. If you’d like the gratin to have a nice brown top, add it to the broiler for 3-5 minutes.