Happy Monday (that’s an order!) to you all! I hope the week is starting off on the right foot for everyone. For me, that means a big glass of veggie juice at 7:40am, a cup of coffee with vanilla sugar and a devotional starting at 7:45am, and a feeling of “I can do this” as the upcoming events of the week rush through my brain and I step out the door to go to work trying to cram each thought and each project into the correct mental cranny. A good outfit to help me feel pretty also makes a big difference–isn’t it amazing how bad a day can become when you just don’t feel like your face ever came together in the morning? And you’re convinced your pants are clinging in an unflattering way?
Juice, coffee, feeling presentable–that helps my Monday roll out the gate without a grimace.
Anyway, today I have a recipe for you all that has made many Monday night appearances at our table, partly because it requires near-zero thought and near-zero effort. Which also sweetens the pill-that-can-be-Monday. This dinner is so quick to throw together, and it never fails to please. It was inspired by the preliminary steps in this quiche, and I just love its simplicity: only 4 ingredients. Only 1 skillet. Heck yeah.
Ingredients
(Serves 3-4)
1 lb bacon
1 red onion
12 oz kale
2/3 cup dry sherry or white wine
Salt and pepper, to taste
Rice, to serve
Chop up the bacon and fry it in a large skillet over medium high heat until browned and crispy.
Yes, in case you’re wondering, this is the most labor-intensive part of the recipe. It’s all water running downhill from here.
Drain all but 1 TBS of the fat.
Now look at the cup full of grease that you just saved yourself from, and feel good!
Look at the grease you spattered on the counter and also feel good. Because you can just wipe it up with a soapy sponge, and the problem disappears.
And when your “problems” can be fixed with a sponge . . . well, then you can really count your blessings.
Dice the onion and add it to the bacon. Fry over medium heat until the onion is softened, 6-8 minutes.
Chop up the kale and add it to the skillet little by little, stirring until wilted. I added almost all of it at once, just for dramatic effect.
But it will cook down a ton! I promise.
Add the sherry or white wine and bring to a simmer. I have to warn you that the flavor of sherry is quite distinctive. It has an acidic edge to it that I happen to love, but if you don’t, feel free to do the white wine, or even a white wine or sherry + chicken broth split.
Cook the kale for about 10 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed/evaporated almost completely. Season to taste with salt and pepper–and I love liberal amounts of black pepper, as you can see.
Serve over rice!
I think I’ve made this every Monday for the past 3 weeks.
Click here for printer-friendly version: Bacon and Kale Skillet
I needed that stern order to have a happy Monday! And to see that scrumptious dish to really wake me up! What great way to have kale! But then again just about anything is wonderful with bacon and onions! Have a great week, Jenna!
I definitely think some happy Mondays and happy Monday food are in order! I can definitely see why this is one of those meals. sometimes bacon is totally what you need to get you through the day.
You forgot to add the step of fanning your smoke detector that’s going off while making the bacon…oh wait!!…. That’s MY problem! LOL!
Haha! I’ve had that problem in past apartments . . . we used to just unscrew the smoke detector before I started cooking and put it back in afterwards. =)
Love, love, love simple easy weeknight dishes like this. Especially these next two weeks, I’m watching a friend’s obnoxious dog and spend half the evening chasing him and begging him to get in the kennel. This dish could save me from starving 😉
That looks great.. except I really think it needs a nice fried egg, don’t you??
Haha–YES! You know me well!
It looks like a delicious way to start the week. I have been enjoying kale a lot lately. Of course there is no question about liking bacon! Yummy!
I made a BLT with kale the other day, love the combination of bacon and kale!! Will have to give this one a try as well!!
Bacon! Yummm. Can’t wait to try this one.
kale! and bacon! awesome combo 🙂
I love, love, love kale, but don’t cut it because I find it makes it more bitter than it already is. I either tear it or cook it whole. This looks so delicious. I usually use a [homemade] smoke turkey leg, but bacon is nummier, I am sure, by far. And all those onions – yum, yum, yum. Definitely a keeper.
Now if my dang supermarket wasn’t sold out of it as I discovered yesterday. Thx for the recipe. Your recipes are always so good!
Thanks for the suggestion on not cutting kale! I had no idea that increased the bitterness.
Awww, I love your positive attitude! I really wished I had time to check my email before work today, it would have gotten my Monday off to an even better start. This was perhaps my favorite part, “And when your “problems” can be fixed with a sponge . . . well, then you can really count your blessings.” I love your perspective. 🙂
As for the kale, yummo! Kale is my fave green and this is a perfect meal. I love simple, especially with a helping of bacon. 🙂
Jenna,
Do you mind if I use Pinterest to Pin recipes of yours that I (want Tyler to make) want to try…
Of course–no need to even ask!
And how are you guys doing?? I can’t believe it’s already been 3 months since we last saw you.
I know! We’re doing great! I am eating this right now. It is so yummy! And I made it all by myself! =)
Jenna, you can give “orders” any day. You could even order me to make this skillet meal and I would do it. 🙂
I agree, putting yourself together makes you feel better — even if it’s just a quick coat of lipgloss and a brush of mascara for “me” — or as my Grandma used to say, “A little paint on the ol’ barn never hurts.” 🙂 Thanks for a great one-dish meal!
I love how simple this is! Perfect for any night of the week, and of course I can always use more kale (and bacon) in my diet. 😉
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