Creamed Kale

This is another of my favorite "Comfort Food" recipes.
I usually make it in late summer when there's an abundance of kale to use up, or any time I'm craving something warm and creamy but still fairly good for me (like today)...
It sounds like it uses a LOT of kale, but we all know even hearty greens like kale will cook down quite a bit, especially if you use the non-curly Lacinato or 'Dinosaur' kale varieties.

I prefer less sauce to kale, but if you want it more creamy/saucy then use a cup or so less kale.

 I really like this served simply - just plain or over toast (yes, kale on toast!), but it's also good mixed into quinoa or pasta, over scrambled tofu, or on grilled slabs of polenta. YUM!

Creamed Kale

12 cups finely chopped kale. (I prefer the non-curly Lacinato or Dinosaur kale)

Sauce:
2 tablespoons vegan margarine, melted
1 good-size sweet onion like Walla Walla Sweet or Maui, chopped
1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked a while if you think about it - not absolutely necessary but will make a smoother cream sauce)
1 1/2 cups very hot (not boiling) water

1 cup UNsweetened soy or other milk
few drops Tabasco or other hot sauce, or to taste
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder

 Optional: 2 - 3 Tbsp. Vegan "bacon" product of your choice, crumbled (Smart Bacon, Tempeh Bacon, even some brands of 'Bacon bits' are vegan)

Finely chop the kale and set it aside.
Melt the margarine in a large skillet and saute the onions until starting to color.

In a blender, mix cashews and hot water until smooth and creamy (be careful, leave a bit of vent in the lid or the heat may blow the lid off your blender and make a MESS!)
Blending the cashews smooth may take a few minutes, depending on your blender - when as smooth as possible, add soy milk, hot sauce, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder and pepper.
Blend a bit longer until smooth and creamy.

 Add the onions and blend a little more - I don't mind if the onions are a little chunky. Now put the kale in the skillet, pour the sauce over it and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until kale has softened and sauce has thickened.
If it's too runny, cook longer until sauce reduces more - If it starts to get too thick and kale isn't done, add another 1/4 cup water. When kale is done to your liking, remove from heat, taste and season with salt, fresh ground black pepper and/or a squeeze of lemon juice if needed.
Sprinkle with vegan 'bacon' if desired, and serve.