#36 Denmark's Grønlangkål (Creamed Kale)

Some people believe cooking Kale for New Year's Eve dinner brings in good luck especially in money all throughout the new year :)  I did not include it in our menu since we usually don't eat that much Kale because of it's slightly bitter aftertaste. A few days ago, I found this method of cooking and decided to try it. I modified the original recipe to achieve the perfect balance according to my palate. What a great discovery for me because the unpleasant aftertaste disappears after cooking! Instead, we enjoyed the delicious blend of cream and only the good flavor of the vegetable. This recipe is said to be 500 years old from Lolland, an isle in the Southern part of Denmark. Grønlangkål is a traditional Danish every day meal during the cold winter months. Kale is a super food and I am very glad I found this.

Grønlangkål
(Creamed Kale)

Ingredients:

6 cups Kale (hard part of the leaves removed)
2 tablespoons melted salted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Rinse the Kale well and drain in a colander.
2. Trim away and discard any discolored leaves and tough stem ends.
3. Slice leaves into small thin pieces.
4. Melt the butter and then add the flour, stir consistently.
5. Add the kale, stir, and then add the heavy whipping cream.
6. Add the sugar, salt and pepper.
7. Cook for 10-15 minutes over medium low heat or until you achieve the consistency that you like.

What my little family and I learned about Denmark:

• It is officially the KINGDOM OF DENMARK, and the head of the monarch is HM Queen Margrethe II (we spent a lot of our time looking at the royal family's pictures)
• They have a lady Prime Minister and her name is Helle Thorning- Schmidt
• It's capital is Copenhagen. DK has one of the best economies in Europe. I learned that it has the world's highest minimum wage and the unemployment compensation is very high. All college and university education are free of charges.
• A report by the OECD  in 2011 found that the Danish people are among the happiest among those in the 40 countries that were surveyed.

The cuisine must also contribute greatly to their happiness. I will certainly discover more dishes.

Recipe adapted from Copenhagenet.dk