Kale And Butternut Squash Gratin - cooking recipe

Ingredients
    2 (1 1/2 lb) butternut squash, cut in half and seeded
    2 tablespoons peanut oil
    8 ounces kale, rinsed and cut into thin slices (stems trimmed and large ribs removed)
    4 garlic cloves, minced
    coarse salt
    black pepper, freshly ground
    1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
    1 pinch allspice
    4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves coarsely chopped
    1 1/2 cups heavy cream
    3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs (Japanese)
    2/3 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, freshly grated
Preparation
    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Use butter to lightly grease a large (2 1/2-quart) gratin dish.
    Peel the squash, then cut it crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kale, still slightly damp, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, until it has wilted. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 45 to 60 seconds, until it is fragrant.
    Place half of the sliced squash in the prepared gratin dish; season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Combine the nutmeg, allspice and thyme in a small bowl.
    Place the kale over the squash and sprinkle with half of the nutmeg-thyme mixture. Top with the remaining squash and sprinkle with the remaining nutmeg-thyme mixture.
    Pour the cream over the vegetables; cover the gratin dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for about 45 minutes, until tender.
    While the vegetables are baking, combine the panko bread crumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in a small bowl.
    Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees. Discard the foil from the gratin dish and use a spatula to press down on the mixture. Sprinkle the bread crumb-cheese mixture over the vegetables. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
    About Kale:
    It's best to buy kale just before you are going to use it, because it tends to get flabby and bitter after a few days' refrigeration. Store it in an open plastic bag in the coldest part of the fridge.

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