Kale with Sausage and White Beans

     I had to send some very important documents to France today related to the sale of our apartment. These documents not only had to be translated from French to English but our signatures notarized and the documents sent to the Pennsylvania Department of State to be legalized.  I received them back this morning and immediately left the house to have them mailed to France.  Dear Daughter tagged along as she wanted to make a stop and after contemplating the best place to mail the documents, I decided to forego FEDEX and opted for the UPS Store as it was closer.  The clerk took my envelope and placed it on the scale while he entered the details into the computer.  A hassled looking woman entered carrying at least 100 envelopes and dumped them next to scale.  A few minutes later, the clerk looked very confused.  As he printed the shipment label, he realized that my envelope was no longer on the scale.  The woman, it seems, picked up my envelope with several others of hers that were not labeled and left!  On top of that, the return address on her envelopes listed a company located in Virginia.  There was no further contact information.  The clerk explained to me, "Don't worry, she comes in here often.  Next time she comes in, we will see if we can get the envelope back."  Seriously!  

     As calmly as I could, I explained that these were time sensitive documents and I needed them back TODAY.  I would wait while they tried to track down the company, which was somewhat difficult to do.  I figured that if I just stood there, they could not forget about me.  Ninety minutes later, I was still standing there.  I will admit that the clerk, in between helping customers, was trying to be helpful and was very apologetic.  The manager was a different story.  Only after an hour of waiting did she acknowledge my presence and then only by saying, "Can you believe that lady took your envelope?"  I could not speak as I knew that nothing good would come out of my mouth.  If you can't say anything nice...

     After ninety minutes, I realized that it was a lost cause.  I explained the urgency of the papers and indicated that I would have to initiate the process all over again and I was not sure of the ramifications.  Would I lose the transaction?  Shortly after leaving, I received a call from the clerk indicating that he had "found" the individual and she would return the envelope before the last pickup.  We shall see...

     It is Thursday and I am looking forward to tomorrow.  We have scheduled lunch in the city with Dear Husband and then DD and I will take in a four painting Van Gogh exhibit that we have been wanting to see.  In our very cool market district, referred to as the Strip District, I plan to visit the fishmonger and pick out a live trout for him to filet for us.  After that, we will hit the Italian grocery, where we will pour the olive oil of our choice into our empty wine bottles and perhaps get some special cheese for the weekend.  We will top off the day by picking up our CSA shipment which will also include three roasting chickens and our first shipment of pork.  While last weekend's porterhouse steaks were perhaps the best I have ever had, I am looking forward to something other than beef or lamb.

      The veggies from last week's shipment are gone!  I am at a bit of a loss for what to accompany our lamb meatballs tonight but I will figure out something.  Last week, I gathered the courage to cook up the kale.  This recipe was a great introduction to the veggie - quite easy and very flavorful - not to mention super good for you!  We had no leftovers, which says it all.

Kale with Sausage and White Beans

(adapted from....I cannot remember where I first saw this recipe!)

Kale with Sausage and White Beans

Ingredients:

1 T Olive Oil

1/2 pound bulk Sweet Italian Sausage

1 Onion, sliced thin

2 large Garlic Cloves, minced

1 large bunch Kale, center thick rib removed, leaves roughly chopped

1/2 cup chicken stock 

1 15-ounce can of white beans rinsed and drained

Salt and Pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan Cheese

1.  Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and add the sausage.  Cook for 3-4 minutes, then add the onion and turn the heat to high.  Cook until the edges of the onions brown, about 3-4 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook another minute.

2.  Add the kale and season with salt and pepper.  Add the chicken stock.  Cover the pan and lower the heat to medium.  Cook for 2 minutes.

3.  Uncover, mix everything well and add the beans.  Cover the pot again and lower the heat to low.  Cook another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat. Let stand 5 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.