Stewed Kale and Tomatoes with Red Cooking Wine: A Healthy & Flavorful Comfort Food Recipe

Have you embarked on the journey of enjoying kale yet? This vibrant, leafy green has soared in popularity over the past few years, evolving from a mere garnish to a true superstar in the culinary world. For many, including myself, kale’s initial introduction can be a bit intimidating. Its robust texture and slightly bitter notes can make it seem challenging to prepare compared to more delicate greens like spinach. However, once you unlock the secrets to cooking it properly, kale quickly transforms into a beloved staple that you’ll crave regularly.

Kale is not just a trendy ingredient; it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it truly lives up to its superfood reputation. A single serving delivers a substantial dose of beta-carotene, crucial for vision and immune function, and an extraordinary amount of Vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health. Beyond these, kale is also rich in Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and various potent antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Understanding its incredible health benefits only deepened my appreciation for this versatile vegetable, motivating me to master its preparation.

My own culinary journey with kale began with a slight hesitation due to its denser, coarser texture compared to the familiar tenderness of spinach. But through experimentation, I discovered various methods to transform it into delectable dishes. I’ve explored it in refreshing massaged salads, which soften its leaves beautifully and enhance its flavor, and turned it into crispy, addictive kale chips, a healthy alternative to traditional snacks. These initial successes opened my eyes to kale’s potential, and it wasn’t long before I found myself constantly seeking new ways to incorporate this nutritious green into my diet. This particular stewed kale and tomato recipe quickly became a comforting favorite, especially on chilly evenings.

This recipe truly shines with the addition of Holland House Red Cooking Wine, which generously provided me with a delightful selection of their vinegars and cooking wines to experiment with. The red cooking wine, in particular, added an incredible depth of flavor and richness to the stewed kale that elevated the entire dish. Its subtle acidity helps tenderize the kale and beautifully marries the flavors of the tomatoes, onions, and garlic, creating a harmonious and savory profile.

The beauty of this stewed kale dish lies in its simplicity and the minimal effort required for maximum flavor. After a thorough rinse, the chopped kale is added directly to a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot. The secret to its tenderness begins here: the residual water clinging to the leaves from rinsing, combined with the Holland House Red Cooking Wine, creates a natural steaming environment. This gentle steaming process, initiated right in the pot, helps the dense kale leaves begin to wilt and soften, making them much more palatable and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic technique for transforming kale’s robust texture into something incredibly tender and pleasing.

As the kale starts to cook down and turn a deeper, vibrant green, the diced Italian tomatoes and plump raisins are introduced to the pot. The tomatoes contribute a delightful sweetness and acidity, balancing the earthy notes of the kale, while the raisins add an unexpected burst of concentrated sweetness that complements the savory elements perfectly. After a quick stir, the pot is covered, allowing the ingredients to simmer gently together, transforming into a deeply flavorful and aromatic stew. This ‘set it and forget it’ approach, for a good portion of the cooking time, makes it an ideal meal for busy weeknights.

I’ve had the pleasure of preparing this comforting stewed kale and tomatoes recipe numerous times, always finding it to be the perfect antidote to a cold evening. Its hearty warmth and rich flavors make it an instant comfort food in my opinion. We typically serve it generously over perfectly cooked whole wheat “egg” noodles. These noodles are lightly dressed with a drizzle of good quality olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a dash of aromatic Italian seasoning. The combination of the tender, flavorful kale and tomatoes with the satisfying bite of the seasoned noodles creates a truly wholesome and deeply satisfying meal. While perhaps not everyone shares my exact level of enthusiasm for kale (looking at you, Larry!), for me, it’s pure culinary bliss.

Stewing kale is an exceptional method for preparing this nutritious green. Unlike raw kale, which can sometimes be tough or overwhelming, stewing breaks down its fibrous structure, resulting in a wonderfully tender texture. This process also helps to mellow any potential bitterness, allowing the kale’s inherent sweetness to emerge. Furthermore, cooking kale can enhance the bioavailability of certain nutrients, making them easier for your body to absorb. The slow simmer allows all the flavors—from the fragrant garlic and onion to the rich red cooking wine, sweet tomatoes, and raisins—to meld together beautifully, creating a complex and satisfying taste experience that is both healthy and incredibly delicious.

For more innovative ideas on what to cook with vinegars and cooking wines, I highly recommend visiting Holland House’s comprehensive website. There, you’ll discover a treasure trove of recipes, gain insights into their various products, and even find options to shop for their high-quality vinegars and cooking wines. Another fantastic resource is their vibrant Facebook page, where you can connect with a community of home cooks and find daily inspiration. Don’t forget to sign up for their exclusive SPLASH Recipe Club to receive delicious recipes and cooking tips directly in your inbox. Incorporating cooking wines into your culinary repertoire is a simple yet effective way to add gourmet flair and depth to everyday meals, transforming ordinary dishes into something extraordinary.

Print Recipe

Hearty Stewed Kale and Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or pressed)
1-2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
1 pound bag of fresh kale, stems removed and leaves roughly chopped (about 8-10 cups packed) – I often use Glory Foods pre-washed and chopped kale for convenience.
1/4 cup Holland House Red Cooking Wine or a dry red wine of your choice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Two 14-ounce cans diced Italian tomatoes, undrained (look for fire-roasted for extra flavor!)
A generous pinch of red pepper flakes (adjust to your preferred level of spice)
1/4 cup sweet raisins (golden or dark, whichever you prefer)

Directions:

Begin by preparing your fresh kale: thoroughly rinse it under cold water, paying attention to remove any grit. While you don’t need to completely dry it, allow excess water to drain off in a colander. The residual moisture clinging to the leaves is key for the initial steaming process. Set the rinsed kale aside.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven (which is ideal for even heat distribution), heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chopped red onion and minced garlic. Sauté gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft, translucent, and fragrant. Be careful not to brown the garlic.
Now, it’s time to add the kale. Since a pound of kale is quite voluminous, you may need to add it in batches. Add a handful or two to the pot, letting it cook down slightly for a minute or two before adding more. Continue this process, gently tossing the kale with the sautéed onions and garlic, until all the kale fits comfortably in the pot and begins to wilt.
Pour in the 1/4 cup of Holland House Red Cooking Wine (or your preferred red wine). The wine, combined with the leftover water on the kale leaves, will create a wonderful steaming effect, further softening the greens. Continue to gently toss and stir the kale until it is thoroughly wilted, becoming tender but still retaining a pleasant bite. At this stage, season the kale lightly with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Stir in the two cans of undrained diced Italian tomatoes. The liquid from the tomatoes will contribute to the stew’s rich base. Add a generous pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of warmth and the 1/4 cup of raisins for a delightful burst of sweetness. Stir all the ingredients well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low-medium, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 5-8 minutes. This initial simmer allows the flavors to begin melding.
Continue to check and stir the stew periodically over the next 20-25 minutes. The goal is for the kale to become very tender and for the flavors to deepen and become more harmonious. The liquid will reduce slightly, and the aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely inviting. Taste for seasoning and adjust with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. You might also add a tiny splash more red cooking wine if you like.
To serve, spoon the hearty stewed kale and tomatoes generously over your favorite simple whole wheat noodles. For an enhanced experience, dress the cooked noodles beforehand with a little extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, a dash of garlic powder, and a generous shake of Italian seasoning. This creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying meal that is both nutritious and comforting. This dish also pairs wonderfully with polenta, quinoa, or crusty bread.

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(Disclaimer: Holland House kindly provided me with a generous sampling of their products and associated compensation for this post. Rest assured, all opinions expressed here, as always, are entirely my own and reflect my genuine experience.)

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On a different note, a huge congratulations goes out to Lisa over at Jersey Girl Cooks for being the lucky winner of the Bush’s Beans giveaway! Thank you so much to everyone who participated by leaving a comment and entering the giveaway – your engagement is always appreciated!