Mike and I always joke that we are much more active in colder months, and this week was a good example. (Side Note: We are cold-weather people...I am so excited for our first snowfall!)
The past seven days have been crazy busy with entertaining…I’ve made roast chicken, a slow-cooking Moroccan-inspired stew (like this one), and even an autumnal-themed luncheon. Now it’s time for a quiet meal and some quick-cooking comfort food.
This beautiful dish is the sort of thing I’ve been craving because I can’t seem to get enough kale lately. Kale, white beans, and garlic have a natural affinity for each other, and chicken sausage really is just gravy (but such a delicious addition). It comes together in a little over 30 minutes and is the perfect fall dinner.
To make this dish vegetarian (vegan actually), omit the chicken sausage, use vegetable stock or water instead of the chicken stock, and use two cans of beans instead of one. And if you have leftovers, they are amazing the next day topped with a poached or fried egg.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ lb fully cooked chicken sausage, sliced (I used Wegmans Spinach and Feta Chicken Sausage, but you can use any kind you like)
- 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 lb kale, rinsed, tough center ribs removed, and chopped
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock (or water), plus more as needed
- 5 large cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Heat the oil in a large lidded skillet over medium-high to high heat; add the sausage and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a bowl and set aside.
- Turn the heat down to medium, add the onion, and cook until tender and starting to caramelize, about 7 to 10 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the kale and chicken stock, cover the skillet, and cook until the liquid is evaporated and the kale is almost tender, about 8 minutes. (If the skillet gets too dry before the kale is almost tender, add a splash more liquid as needed.)
- Stir in the garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and cook 3 minutes. Add the beans and browned sausage and cook until heated, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add lemon juice and turn off heat; taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Sherry says
Kale is on my list of foods I haven't cooked yet but want to try. This recipe looks perfect for the cooler weather and I can't wait to give it a go! I came by from Bonbon Breaks and I'm a new follower.
Faith says
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sherry! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Betty says
Beans and greens are definitely comfort food for me. I'm not a cold weather person, but I do love "chilly" weather and this is perfect for that! I'd love to walk in the house to this cooking in the kitchen. :)
Reeni says
Such a warming and comforting dish Faith! All of these flavors love each other - they're perfect together! I am busier now too - my favorite time of the year.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
A hearty and comforting meal.
Shannon says
well, i'm all about this type of food, but i'm much more active in the warmer months ;)
grace says
kale is finally getting the attention it deserves, and i'm thrilled. this looks like a wholly satisfying dish!
kellie@foodtoglow says
Another weird coincidence because I am making something similar tonight but adding sauerkraut (to use it up really) and using Polish sausages. But still with the kale - a big favourite of mine too. I've still got plenty in the garden that the slugs haven't eaten (I think they got bored with it and moved on) so it pretty much goes in everything. I don't think we even have chicken sausages here! LOVe your plate too!
Eha says
Here in Australia kale, to the best of my knowledge, is not known or used overly much. It is largely from US food blogs that I have grown interested in it during the past couple of months! Well, our supermarkets amy say 'what?', but I have a row of very healthy cavolo nero [black kale] plants thriving in our spring weather :) ! Shall use all my recipes soonest :D !
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
This is a beautiful looking kale dish! I love kale, and this recipe looks healthy and relatively easy to make.
Nancy-SpicieFoodie says
You're going to laugh, we also don't have kale here (shocking I know). I look forward to the first snowfall but then I get tired of the snow soon. While you get more active I want to hibernate, lol:) This looks delicious and so comforting. Before I go into hibernation I wouldn't mind a big bowl of it. Thanks for sharing!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
I would love to have a big bowl of that with a piece of crusty, rustic bread and butter. Looks awesome Faith!
Jessie says
Sausage and kale is such an incredible combination (and two of my favorite foods!) and you've kicked it up a notch with white beans and lots of delicious garlic! I can see myself devouring a plate of this on a cold day, and having some as leftover -- yum! :)
Kim - Liv Life says
I am not much of a Kale fan... however, my daughter came home from dance class the other day and her teacher had made Roasted Kale Chips. She loved them! So I'm working on collecting Kale recipes. This one is gong on top of the list!
Faith says
So sweet, Kim! I hope your daughter enjoys this dish...it's one of my favorites. :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Beautiful photos, Faith! This dish looks so comforting for the cooler days ahead!
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
Oh, delish, my kind of eats! So interesting what you say about feeling energized by the cold weather. We are all unique, that's for sure. I feel like a part of me dies in the winter... in fact, I just dedicated the beginning of my post to the seasonal transition (maudlin, I know! :).
Erica says
I am a warm weather gal ;) I just want to hide once it gets cold!! But, I would definitely use this to warm me up. Looks yummy. Garlic!!
Rosa says
A terrific combination! Two of my favorite things in one dush.
Cheers,
Rosa