Instructions: 2. Heat a Dutch oven or 4 quart sauce pan with a non-stick surface. When hot, ass oil and onion and cook over medium heat until just softened, about five minutes. Add crumbled sausage and fennel seed. Cook until red is gone.

Remove from the pan; drain grease and use a knife to chop the meat into a finer crumb.

3. Meanwhile, return the pan to the burner. Add the garlic and kale and cook over medium for 2 to 3 minutes or until kale has wilted. Add the seasoned tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cover pan and simmer over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until just "al dente" and drain. Remove lid from pan and add hot pasta. Toss to mix well and keep warm for about 5 minutes while you prepare a sale.

Serve topped with freshly grated cheese. EACH: 638 cals, 27% from fat,

Mario demonstrated this dish on television to introduce Tuscan Cabbage, also known as Cavolo Nero or black cabbage. Similar to kale but it holds its color: it will be dark green after cooking. Another tip: mix the pasta and sauce and heat together before serving. The dish is Marios: simple home cooking, slightly undercooked with lots of color. My version added peeled tomatoes and herbs; used less oil and lean turkey sausage.

NOTES : REVIEW: Classic pasta and tomato with the crunch and color of kale.

With cheese, it was very comforting. Just a rustic and straightforward
one-pot meal. The Tuscan Cabbage didnt have much flavor: that was a
surprise.

Marios show on Tuscan Cabbage and fact that it was available at Ralphs got me to try it. The recipe is Mario Batalis - very rustic, quickly cooked. Tri-color: white red and green.

Except: I substituted lean turkey Italian sausage. After tasting it with just tomato sauce, I added herbs and some ready-cut tomatoes with juice. I also let it steep longer.

The cabbage/kale was pleasant. It did not have much of a flavor or it didnt compete with the tomatoes. I will use the other half pound in a Tuscan potato soup.-Pat and Bob email to ELF, FareShare, MC

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