What to do with Kale
In all the health books and magazines I have, it always talks about eating lots of dark green leafy vegetables. So I set out to buy some and figure out what to do with it. Yeah, I did the spinach...but it was old. I needed to branch out and really start trying some new vegetables.
I went to the side of the produce department that I rarely go to. You know the corner with the leeks and turnips...and yes, those dark green leafy things? I grabbed something and bought it. What is Kale? I don't think I've ever had it. It may have been on my plate as a garnish, but I've never had it. Then I looked up a recipe on the internet. Yep...pasta, red bell pepper, feta...kale. Got it!
Well, I sort of improvised on a couple of things, but I made a great meal and I used KALE!
Here's the recipe, according to Tammy:
Ingredients:
-1 (8 oz package) farfalle (bow tie) pasta
-1 tbs olive oil
-1 red bell pepper, chopped
-1 cup roughly chopped kale
-4 cloves garlic, chopped
-1/4 cup chopped basil
-red pepper flakes
-salt and pepper to taste
-8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
-2 cups cooked shrimp
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to directions (or how you like your pasta) Drain.
2. Thaw shrimp. I usually put it in a cup of warm water while I'm preparing other items.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in bell pepper, kale, basil and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Add shrimp. Cook until vegetables are tender and shrimp is ready.
4. In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with skillet mixture. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.
The flavors in this dish are amazing. I can't even explain. But it was delicious!
I'm just proud of myself for using kale!
About Kale:
Kale is related to the wild cabbage which originated in Asia Minor. Kale belongs to the Brassica family, the same as cabbage and Brussels sprouts. It is a green leafy vegetable with an earthy flavour; there are different varieties of kale such as curly kale, ornamental kale and dinosaur kale.
Kale is packed full of beneficial health nutrients, in particular, sulphur-containing phytochemicals. Kale contains the organosulfur compounds, glucosinolates and methyl cysteine sulfoxides which have anti-cancer properties. The anti-cancer properties in kale are especially good at protecting against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Kale is good for healthy eyes, it contains the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin which help to protect the eyes from damage from ultra violet light, lutein rich food like kale are especially good at protecting against cataracts. The high content of beta-carotene thus vitamin A, in Kale also helps to protect against forms of cancer, emphysema and cataracts.
Kale is a good source of vitamin C which can boost the immune system and protect against colds, flu, asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Kale contains vitamin B6 and riboflavin which can protect against heart disease. Kale is a great source of calcium; it is a good alternative source to dairy products for calcium. Calcium is good for healthy bones and teeth. The high fibre content of kale is good for lowering cholesterol, balancing blood sugar levels, preventing constipation and protecting against colon cancer.
Nutrients
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6
• Manganese
• Beta-carotene
Benefits
• Anti-cancer
• Helps to lowers cholesterol
• Good for a healthy cardiovascular system
• Good source of folate
• Good source of calcium
• Helps to balance blood sugar levels
• Promotes healthy eyes
• Boosts immunity
• Prevents constipation
Drawbacks
• Kale contains goitrogens which can affect the functioning of the thyroid gland, if you have thyroid problems, it is best to avoid kale.
I went to the side of the produce department that I rarely go to. You know the corner with the leeks and turnips...and yes, those dark green leafy things? I grabbed something and bought it. What is Kale? I don't think I've ever had it. It may have been on my plate as a garnish, but I've never had it. Then I looked up a recipe on the internet. Yep...pasta, red bell pepper, feta...kale. Got it!
Well, I sort of improvised on a couple of things, but I made a great meal and I used KALE!
Here's the recipe, according to Tammy:
Ingredients:
-1 (8 oz package) farfalle (bow tie) pasta
-1 tbs olive oil
-1 red bell pepper, chopped
-1 cup roughly chopped kale
-4 cloves garlic, chopped
-1/4 cup chopped basil
-red pepper flakes
-salt and pepper to taste
-8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
-2 cups cooked shrimp
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to directions (or how you like your pasta) Drain.
2. Thaw shrimp. I usually put it in a cup of warm water while I'm preparing other items.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in bell pepper, kale, basil and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Add shrimp. Cook until vegetables are tender and shrimp is ready.
4. In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with skillet mixture. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.
The flavors in this dish are amazing. I can't even explain. But it was delicious!
I'm just proud of myself for using kale!
About Kale:
Kale is related to the wild cabbage which originated in Asia Minor. Kale belongs to the Brassica family, the same as cabbage and Brussels sprouts. It is a green leafy vegetable with an earthy flavour; there are different varieties of kale such as curly kale, ornamental kale and dinosaur kale.
Kale is packed full of beneficial health nutrients, in particular, sulphur-containing phytochemicals. Kale contains the organosulfur compounds, glucosinolates and methyl cysteine sulfoxides which have anti-cancer properties. The anti-cancer properties in kale are especially good at protecting against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Kale is good for healthy eyes, it contains the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin which help to protect the eyes from damage from ultra violet light, lutein rich food like kale are especially good at protecting against cataracts. The high content of beta-carotene thus vitamin A, in Kale also helps to protect against forms of cancer, emphysema and cataracts.
Kale is a good source of vitamin C which can boost the immune system and protect against colds, flu, asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Kale contains vitamin B6 and riboflavin which can protect against heart disease. Kale is a great source of calcium; it is a good alternative source to dairy products for calcium. Calcium is good for healthy bones and teeth. The high fibre content of kale is good for lowering cholesterol, balancing blood sugar levels, preventing constipation and protecting against colon cancer.
Nutrients
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6
• Manganese
• Beta-carotene
Benefits
• Anti-cancer
• Helps to lowers cholesterol
• Good for a healthy cardiovascular system
• Good source of folate
• Good source of calcium
• Helps to balance blood sugar levels
• Promotes healthy eyes
• Boosts immunity
• Prevents constipation
Drawbacks
• Kale contains goitrogens which can affect the functioning of the thyroid gland, if you have thyroid problems, it is best to avoid kale.