Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage

Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage is a modern twist on a Southern classic!

There’s certainly an art to cooking greens the Southern way and I would NOT want to get in the middle of two Southern cooks debating whose greens are better.

You see, I’m a Yankee and I had to learn about Southern cooking.

When I first moved to the South, one of my first food incredulities here was about how they cooked vegetables.  I couldn’t believe how long they cooked their vegetables!

My soon-to-be husband who already lived here in the Memphis area had just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  I remember getting something to eat in the hospital cafeteria that involved yellow squash.  Let me just say that it was a-mighty well cooked!

Since then, I’ve come to love the intricacies of Southern American cooking.  These are people who take extreme pride in what they create and good Southern-style cuisine is like no other in the world!  Slowly-braised collards cooked down into melty goodness with a ham hock is something everyone needs to experience in their lifetime.

Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage is a twist on the slowly-braised Southern classic but with some New Orleans flair.

Obviously, kale has been enjoying the culinary limelight in recent years as a superfood.  However, our grandmothers were onto it long ago for the fact it was easy to grow and was hardy in cold climates.

This Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage is a dish that’s perfect for today!  No need to slowly-braise anything.  A quick saute with Andouille sausage, garlic, hot sauce and vinegar and it’s all done!

How to make Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage:

• Start with about 4 ounces of cooked Andouille sausage  (this Wisconsin girl loves Johnsonville!).  Cut in half lengthwise, then cut into half-moon pieces.

• Give the Andouille sausage a quick saute in a little oil.  Transfer it to a plate.

• Start sauteeing the kale in batches with garlic, salt and black pepper.

• Add the Andouille sausage back in along with some Tabasco (another Southern staple) and a splash of vinegar!

Baby!

You’ve got a delicious, quick mess o’greens!  May we add an over-easy egg and call it dinner?

And with that, it’s Progressive Eats time!

Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. Each recipe in our menu this month features food from the South, and our host is Karen who blogs at Karen’s Kitchen Stories.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. A theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the delicious dishes from the South!

Food from The South

Cocktails

• Sweet Tea Sangria – The Redheaded Baker

Appetizers

• Southern Pimento Cheese + Roasted Broccoli Bites – The Wimpy Vegetarian

Bread

• Southern Pecan Bread – Creative Culinary

Main Courses

• Cornmeal and Rice Crusted Catfish – Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Shrimp and Grits – The Heritage Cook

Side Dishes

• Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage – From A Chef’s Kitchen  (You’re here!)

Desserts

• Old-Fashioned Southern Banana Pudding – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Derby Pie Shortbread Bars – Mother Would Know

Yield: 6

Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage

Print

Spicy Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage is a modern twist on a Southern classic! 

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil plus as needed
• 4 ounces Andouille sausage (2 links), halved and sliced
• 2 large bunches kale, tough stems removed, coarsely chopped --OR-- 1 (16-ounce) bag kale
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, or to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the Andouille sausage and cook 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.
3. Working in batches, add the kale to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook until kale wilts. Repeat with remaining kale, adding oil as necessary. Add the garlic in batches along with each batch of kale, seasoning each cooked batch of kale with salt and black pepper.
4. Return kale and sausage to skillet and heat through.
5. Splash with vinegar and add Tabasco sauce. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 121Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 12mgSodium 263mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 4g

The nutritional information above is computer-generated and only an estimate. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.