Kale and Bean Pizza

This recipe is awesome.  I have made it 2 different times now, and I want more.

The first time I made it, I used the exact recipe.  The 2nd time I omitted the tomatoes and used Black Beans instead.  AWESOME both times.

Kale and Bean Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch fresh kale, washed and stemmed
• 14 ounces canned white beans, rinsed and drained (I used black beans)
• 4 -6 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced thinly
• 1 medium onion, peeled and sliced thinly
• 4 -6 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4-1/3 cup asiago cheese, sliced thinly (I used a vegetable peeler)

Directions:

1. If you can get fresh kale from a garden, wash it, shake off excess water, and store it in a partially airtight container in the refridgerator for 3-4 days. As it “ages,” it sweetens. (I have found that this step isn’t necessary, but do it if you want to).
2. Heat the olive oil slowly in a large frying pan.
3. While the oil is heating, chop the kale in large strips. Set aside.
4. Sauté onion and garlic over medium-low heat until they begin to turn color. Do not burn.
5. Throughout the rest of this prepartion do not overheat the oil. Medium should be the right temperature.
6. Stir in the brown sugar, oregano, and thyme. Stir gently for another minute or two until the sugar has disappeared.
7. If you need to add a bit more olive oil, do so at this point. You need a thin layer of hot oil covering the bottom of the pan.
8. Stir the chopped kale into the hot oil mix. Kale may look to be too much to fit in the pan, but be patient; as you stir it in, it begins to wilt down to a manageable size. Stir the kale gently for a few minutes, just long enough to cook it down a bit. Do not let it become soft.
9. Stir in the drained, rinsed beans, the balsamic vinegar, and the salt.
10. Lay the tomato slices on top.
11. Lay the thinly sliced asiago cheese on top of the tomatoes.
12. Turn off heat or turn down very low, cover and let steam for 5 minutes. Serve hot.