The Hangry Hillbilly

Well, I haven't posted a recipe in a few weeks because I have been quite busy. I got a terrible cold and that put me out of  business for a week then my lovely daughter got married. I can't believe it! It was a beautiful ceremony and we are quite happy to welcome her husband into our family. They are a wonderful couple and I wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.

After all the wedding hoopla was over guess what happened? My cold came back for another two weeks of misery and snot! Yuck! The happy news is I'm finally back to the land of the living and ready to cook.

I came home today and was craving Kale. I love kale. I try to eat it at least once a week but with illness and weddings I haven't made any in a few weeks. So, tonight I eat Kale my friends!

This recipe is just one of my simple easy ways to enjoy kale and mashed potatoes. It's kind of a comfort dish for me and I hope you enjoy it.

Kale with mushrooms and Mashed Potatoes (geesh that sounds boring but it really isn't!)

Large bag of Kale (I use Glory Foods that I get at Publix. It's already cut up and ready to go... again Lazy!)
container of baby bella mushrooms
sweet onion
14 oz vegetable broth
lemon pepper
sea salt
garlic powder

Mashed potatoes (I'm assuming most people know how to make mashed potatoes)
When I mash my potatoes I use some Earth Balance butter in them with a little salt/pepper but I leave them a little bit dryer then I normally would for this dish then if I were just serving them as a side dish. When you spoon the Kale and mushrooms over the mashed potatoes some of the juice comes too and that adds liquid to the mashed potatoes. However, mashed potatoes are a very personal thing and you, my friend, make your mashed potatoes however your little heart desires. My potatoes, your potatoes they all taste great with this Kale on top!

Get Cookin'

Peel the potatoes for your mashed potatoes and get them boiling

Chop up the onion and slice the mushrooms
Heat a large saute' pan with a lid with about 1/4 c vegetable stock. Add onion and mushrooms. Saute' until tender. Wash chopped kale and add to mushroom/onion mixture. This bagged kale that's already chopped up is handy but I find that I need to pick out the hard stems. No biggie if you don't but I usually pick out some of them but don't make yourself crazy! When adding the kale go slow and add a little at a time stirring in between until you have added about 3/4+ of the bag. (The rest of my bag goes to the wild rabbits that live behind my house.) Mix well with the mushrooms and onion. Add the rest of the vegetable broth. Season with lemon pepper, salt, and garlic powder to your taste. Cover and turn down heat to low. Now here's the deal, I cook mine on low for about 1/2 hour because I like my kale real tender but it really is a personal thing. I know some people like their kale not so tender so just cook it a little less. Just keep an eye on it until it is your desired tenderness. Be sure not to let all the liquid cook away. If it seems to be getting dry just add a little water. I like mine to have some yummy juice to it.

While you were fooling with all the kale I'm assuming your potatoes were boiling. Now do the mashed potato baby! Sorry I always think of that song when I make mashed potatoes. Ok, make your mashed potatoes your way. (Dancing the mashed potato while you make them is completely optional. I, however, feel it gives my mashed potatoes that little extra goodness!)

To serve place a heaping spoon full of mashed potatoes on plate and top with a big ole spoon of the kale mixture juice and all! Yowza! There you have it....comfort food that's good for you! If you really want to kick it up serve with a nice slab of cornbread! ENJOY!