Creamed Kale with Cream Cheese (Jalapeno Popper Style!)

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5 from 6 votes

Creamed Kale with Cream Cheese (Jalapeno Popper Style!)

Your kale-hating friends won’t hate this creamed kale dish, with its jalapeno heat and cream cheese-y goodness.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Creamed kale with cream cheese

Servings: servings

Calories: 292kcal

Author: Christina Koncker

Ingredients

7-8 ounces kale center stalks removed (weighed using a food scale)
2 tablespoons butter (or bacon grease)
1 cup ½ and ½
3 tablespoons cream cheese
½ medium yellow onion minced
2-3 cloves garlic minced
4 jalapenos minced (remove pith and seeds to reduce spiciness)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

3-4 strips bacon chopped into bacon bits
¼ cup bread crumbs (or crushed up croutons)

Instructions

Melt butter (or bacon grease) in a large pot over medium heat.
2 tablespoons butter
Add onion, garlic, and jalapenos and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
½ medium yellow onion, 2-3 cloves garlic, 4 jalapenos
Add cream cheese and stir until melted.
3 tablespoons cream cheese
Add ½ and ½, then toss all of the kale in. Use tongs to help coat the kale in the creamy mixture and encourage wilting. Cover for 2 minutes, then rotate the kale with the tongs.
1 cup ½ and ½, 7-8 ounces kale
Repeat this process (rotating the kale, then covering the kale for 2 minutes) for around 15 minutes or until kale becomes tender and the cream thickens. Once you’ve achieved tender, creamy kale, turn off the burner. Add salt and pepper until seasoned to your liking.
Salt
Let sit for 1-2 minutes to cool and thicken further.
Sprinkle on bacon bits and/or breadcrumbs or crushed croutons.
3-4 strips bacon, ¼ cup bread crumbs
Serve to your kale-hating friends with smug satisfaction.

Notes

Many recipes for jalapeno poppers also include cheddar cheese, but I left it out here because this dish is on the heavy (read: comforting) side. I recommend pairing with a lean protein like pork loin or chicken breast.

Leftovers reheat well - just put 'em in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

*Nutrition information was calculated using an online nutrition calculator and should be considered estimates.

Nutrition