Sexy kale

[redjasmin]

So in a bid to broaden my vegetable tastes, I have signed up to a local organic supplier who deliver a large box of 9 organic veggies and 3 fruits every week. The produce is all seasonal, so you get what you are given.

This weeks box arrives today and contains kale - what can I do to make the kale sexy? As last time I served it to my husband he accused me of trying to poison him! (If only it were that easy ) I've seen recipes for kale chips dehydrated in the oven - but to me that seems like recreating junk food?

[Tom Denham]

Dehydrating veggies and fruit as a method of preservation is a time-honored approach. Don't let modern junk food keep you from enjoying kale chips! They really are good.

 

I have friends who enjoy raw kale, but kale needs some help to taste good in my opinion. Here is my basic approach. Melt a tablespoon of ghee or coconut oil in a wok. Add a big handful of chopped onion. Season with salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Let cook about 5 minutes until soft. Meanwhile, rinse kale and cut into bite-size pieces with a pair of kitchen shears. Add big handfuls of kale to the hot wok, enough to almost fill it up. Season with a dusting of salt, garlic powder, and Chinese five spice powder. Splash kale generously with apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Add a handful of dried cranberries. Cover wok and let kale wilt for at least 5 minutes and maybe 7-8.

 

You can serve wilted kale like this with other veggies and meat, but my favorite thing is to add a serving of pulled roast beef on top of the kale and let this become a one-pot meal.

[redjasmin]

Wow Tom that sounds fab, thank you

[Purplepenguin]

I have been using this recipe:

Salt & Vinegar Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 4 C kale, stems removed and cut into 2″ pieces
• 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
• 2 TBSP lard, melted (or your oil/fat of choice. Ghee seems to work best) or spray with Coconut oil
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. ♥ Toss kale, vinegar, lard and salt in a large bowl until all kale is thoroughly coated.
2. ♥ Spread evenly in one layer on a baking sheet.
3. Roast in a 325 degree oven for 20 minutes or until kale has crisped up.

This will keep for a while at room temperature, maybe a week or two.  

[redjasmin]

Mmm I didn't realise the chips kept? So quite good with some olives and leftover chicken as a mini meal? Ok I need to give them a try - thanks

[pjena]

I like raw kale.  Wash and tear it into bite size pieces.  Put it in a bowl with a swig of olive oil and a sprinkle of coarse salt.  Then, reach in and massage it with your hands until it's tender.  I usually then put a little balsamic and pepper on it and maybe add some other veg or a hb egg or tuna to make it a meal. 

[SpinSpin]

This is AMAZING--love this stuff! It is a massaged kale salad and it sooo good--just skip the honey for whole 30-- http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/massaged-kale-salad-recipe/index.html There is also this that is a dupe of Whole Foods garlic kale salad--just sub the Braggs aminos with coconut aminos-- http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/2011/02/garlicky-kale/ Grill up a fat steak, have a healthy serving of one of these salads and let the weekend begin! 

[redjasmin]

Ok thank you everyone for the suggestions. I tried them all out

I made the kale chips - my kids will never forgive me for making them try them!

The salad - noooooo! I tried I really did!

Toms recipe is about the most palatable thing on here, I chucked in some sliced chilli peppers instead of cranberries in the hope of obliterating the taste, and to a certain extent it worked.

My conclusion....kale is not sexy however you choose to dress it, and unless there is absolutely no other green veg on the planet, it should be avoided at all costs!

[fearoflanding]

I love kale as a salad. I cut up the kale, and add some green onion and avocado slices. I squeeze some fresh lemon juice on it and mix it up. The lemon seems to cancel out the bitterness of the kale and its a great crunchy salad

[amberino21]

I love kale - chips, wilted, raw if very finely shredded and dressing massaged in, in omelettes etc...

I can see how it would be an acquired taste though

[mrslynch1963]

My husband and I use kale in chili. We cut it into small pieces with kitchen shears and throw it into the pot with our meat. We also use the whole kale leaves to make a layered italian style dish, kinda like lasagna without any cheese. Just layer the kale with your meat sauce, like you would using lasagna noodles. Yum!

[annabel]

I eat my chili and spagbol on top of kale and just boil it with a bit of salt.

 

I like sautéing it with a bit of garlic and lemon juice too.  My problem with the kale here is that they sell it pre-cut so you're stuck with all the nasty stems which take more cooking than the rest of the kale.