Kale With Potatoes & Sausage

Step 1: Drop kale into enough boiling, lightly salted water to cover completely.

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Add potatoes and cook for 30 minutes longer, or until kale is tender; potatoes should still be intact.

Step 4: Remove potatoes with slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 5: Drain kale in a colander, pressing firmly to remove excess liquid.

Step 6: Chop coarsely.

Step 7: Heat milk and lard in a heavy 2- to 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until lard is melted and small bubbles appear around the edge of the pan.

Step 8: Stir in kale, potatoes, and salt.

Step 9: Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Step 10: Meanwhile, prick sausage in several places.

Step 11: Lay flat in a skillet and add enough cold water to cover completely.

Step 12: Bring to a boil over moderate heat.

Step 13: Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.

Step 14: Drain sausage on paper towels.

Step 15: Split sausage casing with a sharp knife and remove it.

Step 16: Slice sausage into 1/4" thick pieces.

Step 17: To serve, mound the kale and potatoes in the middle of a large deep platter and arrange the sausage around the rim.