On the Table: Balsamic Kale Pasta

My kale adventures continue!  This fantastic green can really be incorporated into all kinds of dishes, and today I decided to work it into an entree - a pasta dish.  This dish is super easy, and is ready in little more time than it takes to cook the pasta.  Here is goes:

Put a pot of salted water on to boil for the pasta.

Clean half a pound of kale (about half a bunch), strip the leaves from the stems, and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.

When the water boils, cook 1/4 of a pound of penne for approximately 9 minutes (you want the pasta to be slightly under-cooked).  When you drain the pasta, reserve 1/2 of a cup of the pasta water.

Coat the bottom of a large saute pan with olive oil and put the pan over medium-high heat.  When the oil gets hot, add the kale into the pan, along with approximately 1/8 of a cup of water.  Cook, stirring, until the kale is just slightly cooked and the liquid has evaporated.

(Look how bright it gets!)

Add into the pan 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.  Stir to coat the kale and allow to cook for a few minutes.  Add the cooked penne into the pan, along with 1/4 of a cup of the pasta water.  Stir to incorporate all ingredients, and cook until the pasta is cooked through.  Add more pasta water if needed.

Serve with parmesan cheese cheese, if desired.  Enjoy!