'Nduja Creamed Greens

20 minutes prep 1 hour active cooking 1 hour + 20 minutes total

Makes 4 - 6 servings

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When I was growing up every holiday meal included something creamy...

an indulgent dish usually made only for special occasions. For years I made my mother’s creamed onions, using the same canned pearl onions she did but upping the ante on her white sauce by adding three kinds of cheese and a healthy slug of bourbon. But inspired years ago by Portland chef Jason French’s creamed kale at the now-closed Ned Ludd, now I make creamy greens for celebration dinners.

These greens get extra flavor and a little chile heat from 'nduja, the soft, spreadable salami originally from southern Italy I like to call spicy pork butter. 'Nduja (en-DOO-ya) comes from cucina povere, poor people’s food, and originally used the scraps and organ meat left over after selling the better cuts. Modern versions combine leg, shoulder, and belly mixed with moderately hot Calabrian chiles.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

For the shopping list

1 medium onion
1 bunch of Italian kale
1 cup of water
2 tablespoons of All Purpose Flour
1 cup heavy cream

From our shop

1 teaspoon of Italian Fine Sea Salt
$7.00– Trapani - Sicily

Out of stock

4 tablespoons, divided Antheo D.O.P.
$32.00– Sicily - Italy

Out of stock

1/4 cup, chopped Pancetta Tesa
$13.00– Indianapolis - Indiana

Out of stock

1/4 cup of 'Nduja
$14.00– Indianapolis - Indiana

Equipment

From the kitchen

Skillet
1 Sauce Pan
1 Chef's Knife
1 Cutting Board
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons

"As a nod to the Italian connection and because it just tastes better, I use cavolo nero, usually labeled Tuscan, Italian, or lacinato kale."

~ Jim Dixon, founder Wellspent and Real Good Food

What you'll have to do

Step 1

Chop the onion and cook it in 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of salt while you chop the kale.

Step 2

Coarsely chop the greens, including the stems. Add to the onion, cook 2-3 minutes, add water, reduce heat, and cover. Cook for 45 minutes, checking about midway and adding water 1/2 cup at a time if there’s less than a 1/2 inch in the bottom of the pot.

Step 3

Chop the pancetta into small pieces, cook in a heavy skillet over medium heat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour to make a roux, cook for 2 minutes, then add 1 cup of cream. Bring to a boil and reduce heat.

Step 5

Add the 'nduja and use a spoon to break it up until it melts into the cream.

Step 6

If there’s more than about a 1/2 inch of water in the pot of cooked greens, drain some off and save it. Add the greens to the cream sauce and simmer for 15 minutes or until it thickens.