Two-for-one today! Kale seems like it’s everywhere these days, but it really is great stuff. I tend to buy “baby” kale when I can find it in my grocery store and mix it in with some arugula for a salad or add it to a soup. My next favorite thing to do with kale is the recipe below. I have made the mushroom-kale combination as a side dish a handful of times, but recently I was in the mood for it when the rest of the family wanted pizza. No worries – mushroom and kale pizza was born!

This pizza is made with pre-made naan bread from the grocery store, but you could always use a store bought dough or traditional pre-made pizza crust. See my ham and Swiss pizza recipe for tips on using different crust options.

Mushroom and Kale Naan Pizza or Side Dish serves 2

Ingredients

For side dish:

• 1-1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 good handfuls of baby kale
• 1/4 tsp Penzey’s Northwoods Fire or your favorite spice
• Garlic powder
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 Tbsp butter
• Olive oil

If making pizza:

• 1 pkg of 2 pre-made naan bread
• Olive oil
• 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

In a large skillet melt the butter with a bit of olive oil. I like to use both – the oil keeps the butter from burning on you and the butter keeps the oil from getting too hot and smoking. Add the mushrooms and sauté for a couple of minutes. When they start to soften, add the kale and stir to wilt it evenly. Add some spice – I like Northwoods Fire from Penzey’s – or simply some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you are serving as a side dish, you are set. It’s that simple!

To use it on a pizza, pop a pizza stone, if you have one, in the oven and preheat to 450. Spread some olive oil on your crusts. Again, I used pre-made wheat naan bread. Cover the naan with the mozzarella cheese, then the mushroom and kale combination. I like to put a little more cheese on top so everything holds together better when it’s done. Slide onto your stone or a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes. That’s it! Hope you try this dish either way and enjoy it! Let me know what you think and share with your friends!