What to do with kale?

saltedcaramel86
saltedcaramel86 Posts: 238 Member
I picked up some kale yesterday intending to make white bean and kale stew but it's WAY too hot here for that. What else can I do with kale? I don't eat meat and limiting dairy due to a possible intolerance.
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Replies

  • pocketmole
    pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
    The other day I made a salad with kale that was very tasty. I mashed up some avocado with lime juice, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic powder and then stir chopped kale into it until well coated. Topped with chili seasoned tofu.

    kaleavosalad_sm.jpg

    I will cut out the ribs (too fibrous for a lot of dishes in my opinion) and use it like I would lettuce on a sandwich, burger, or wrap. I throw it in at the end of stir fries so it wilts slightly - but kale is nice because it still maintains pretty nice texture when cooked. Sometimes I will blend it up with fresh herbs to make a pesto.

    I'm sure a hundred people will tell you about kale chips or blending kale into smoothies too, hehe.
  • HannahJDiaz25
    HannahJDiaz25 Posts: 329 Member
    I always wonder about this too... I have tried it in smoothies and wasn't a fan... spinach is way better.
  • Toss in olive oil, sea salt and if you like spicy red pepper flakes. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Enjoy :-)
  • hannahpistolas
    hannahpistolas Posts: 290 Member
    The other day I made a salad with kale that was very tasty. I mashed up some avocado with lime juice, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic powder and then stir chopped kale into it until well coated. Topped with chili seasoned tofu.

    kaleavosalad_sm.jpg

    I will cut out the ribs (too fibrous for a lot of dishes in my opinion) and use it like I would lettuce on a sandwich, burger, or wrap. I throw it in at the end of stir fries so it wilts slightly - but kale is nice because it still maintains pretty nice texture when cooked. Sometimes I will blend it up with fresh herbs to make a pesto.

    I'm sure a hundred people will tell you about kale chips or blending kale into smoothies too, hehe.

    YUM.
  • TheHorribleBlob
    TheHorribleBlob Posts: 84 Member
    I put kale on sandwiches.
  • Jennymcwb
    Jennymcwb Posts: 88 Member
    I sauteed it last night in basil olive oil and b/c I was so hungry, fried an egg in the same pan and mixed it all together. Very good and filling.

    Usually I saute with oil and garlic and eat it like spinach some balsamic vinegar on it.
  • AlishaDTM
    AlishaDTM Posts: 12 Member
    Toss in olive oil, sea salt and if you like spicy red pepper flakes. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Enjoy :-)

    I agree. Kale 'chips' yummo!

    I typically 'drink' my kale:

    8 oz. water
    1 cup kale
    1 cup mixed berries
    1 tbsp flax seeds

    Blend together, preferably in something super charged like the nutri bullet and enjoy!
  • Illona88
    Illona88 Posts: 903 Member
    Salads, stir fries, soup.

    Don't use it in a green smoothie. Too strong a flavour for that.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Boil it, mash it, stick it in a stew.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,464 Member
    It's nice stirfried with sesame oil and soy sauce.
  • simplyeater
    simplyeater Posts: 270 Member
    Massage that puppy with some tahini, peanut or avocado based dressing. Mmm, mmm good.
  • RhodySeth
    RhodySeth Posts: 15 Member
    Kale chips are dynamite.
  • ScarletFyre
    ScarletFyre Posts: 754 Member
    I love kale chips, but am always looking for other good ideas myself.
  • servalan
    servalan Posts: 22 Member
    I love kale (and other greens) cooked like this - it's so easy!

    Heat a can of chicken/beef/veg broth in a large pot on the stove. Add lots of minced garlic and red pepper flakes in broth, and put in cut up kale. (You can easily fill a pot with a bunch of kale, but it will cook down.) Cover and cook on medium high for 5 minutes, then on medium low another 5 or 10 minutes according to taste (I vote for 5 minutes).

    If you're rational, scoop some out and put it on your plate. Often I dump it into a bowl though and just eat that for a meal. :)
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    I picked up some kale yesterday intending to make white bean and kale stew but it's WAY too hot here for that. What else can I do with kale? I don't eat meat and limiting dairy due to a possible intolerance.

    I sautée onions, a bit of garlic and sweet potato or yam cubes and then add lots of coarsely chopped kale. I simmer it in a covered pan until the sweet potatoes are soft, add some curry powder or Garam Masala and serve it with natural yogurt sometimes with lentils, or plain cooked barley, brown rice , beans or any grain or legumes that are not processed.
  • fjrandol
    fjrandol Posts: 437 Member
  • jw17695
    jw17695 Posts: 438 Member
    For lunch I put it in the crock pot until it wilted. I placed my beans/rice on top.

    Most of the time I put it in my vegan tacos or in my soups. Hubby loves to put it in his mashed potatoes.
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    It's nice stirfried with sesame oil and soy sauce.

    And coconut.

    I think I have an unhealthy obsession with this salad: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/06/cook-the-book-kale-salad-with-toasted-coconut-recipe-kale-chips.html
    (I use a lot less olive oil and more sesame, though)
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    Cut out the stems, roughly chop the leaves and massage them with lemon juice and olive oil to your taste, then toss with dried cranberries, toasted wanuts or pecans and shaved parmesan (optional if you want to skip the dairy). A little salt and pepper and you have a very refreshing salad!
  • chelsifina
    chelsifina Posts: 346 Member
    Here's my sexiest kale recipe. My husband and I love this so much that we usually end up eating a whole head of kale each, which I don't really recommend, fiber wise!! Anyway, its simple and if you like a little spice this is for you:

    1 head kale, cleaned and chopped (I remove the large central stem in each leaf)
    2 T olive oil
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    1 tsp red pepper flakes
    1 lemon
    salt to taste

    Steam-saute your kale first, which means, after you wash it throw it directly into a skillet on med-low and put a lid on it. The residual water on the leaves will slightly steam the kale and will soften it. Keep the lid on for about 5 min, then remove the kale from the pan. Now put the oil in the pan on medium high and, when the oil is hot, toss in your garlic and red pepper flakes until the garlic just begins to golden. Throw in your kale and toss in the oil until it is cooked to your liking. Add salt as to your taste and toss. Take off the heat and squeeze lemon juice over the whole thing. Dig in!!!
  • YvonneCT
    YvonneCT Posts: 42 Member
    I like to saute mine with garlic, olive oil, maybe some chopped tomatoes. Yum, yum. :tongue:
  • YvonneCT
    YvonneCT Posts: 42 Member
    I like to saute mine with garlic, olive oil, maybe some chopped tomatoes. Yum, yum. :tongue:
  • carriepbm
    carriepbm Posts: 61 Member
    I love kale (and other greens) cooked like this - it's so easy!

    Heat a can of chicken/beef/veg broth in a large pot on the stove. Add lots of minced garlic and red pepper flakes in broth, and put in cut up kale. (You can easily fill a pot with a bunch of kale, but it will cook down.) Cover and cook on medium high for 5 minutes, then on medium low another 5 or 10 minutes according to taste (I vote for 5 minutes).

    If you're rational, scoop some out and put it on your plate. Often I dump it into a bowl though and just eat that for a meal. :)

    Even in the heat this only takes a few minutes. Add some cubed tofu for the protein and it's a main dish soup.
  • luan999
    luan999 Posts: 87 Member
    i add it to my morning smoothies...along with frozen berries,organic peanut butter, quark fat free cheese, almond milk, spoon honey, sunflower and pumpkin seeds...and truthfully i cant taste the kale!:wink:
  • popshoveit
    popshoveit Posts: 42
    It gets tossed into my magic bullet and finds its way into soups, pasta sauces, muffins, and smoothies. I keep it frozen in my freezer when I have a lot of it (blanch, dry, freeze) good luck!
  • coco3382458
    coco3382458 Posts: 296 Member
    make kale chips, or a kale pesto to put on sandwich, I also always put kale in my soups...LOVE Kale!!
  • AmyP619
    AmyP619 Posts: 1,137 Member
    It's good in smoothies!
  • froyojr
    froyojr Posts: 60
    It's good in a frittata.
  • luan999
    luan999 Posts: 87 Member
    i buy heaps too when its in season in the uk and freeze it...have planted my own too, so it should be ready in 2 months lol!:wink: