halp? with kale?

[br0ken_dolly]

i need to eat more green leafies. i know i do. so this week i bought the prettiest little head of purple kale (with curly leaves... i have no idea what variety this is). i've made kale exactly once before, in a vegan "creamed" dish, and while it was more edible than i expected, it wasn't spectacular. i guess i don't like bland creamed things, even

Comments

[coco73]

My favourite way with kale is to use it in a warm, white bean and kale salad. Sautee onions and garlic in a pan with a bit of oil, add shredded kale (just torn up) and wilt a bit. Add cooked white beans and stir until it's all incorporated and warm. Add chopped tomatoes, or red peppers (vitamin C!!), finely chopped red onion and if you're feeling pretty adventurous, pesto or shaky cheese.

My boyfriend like it wilted a bit with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and apple cider vinegar and served on top of marinated tofu and soba. Smother this in tahini sauce (mix with the exact same recipe as the kale is sauteed in, plus some sesame oil) and go straight to heaven!

[surlynymph]

OMG, this sounds so good! I could eat it without the tahini sauce!

[beerdrinkinlass]

I love the Veganomicon version that adds capers. The salty/sour taste along with the greens and beans is heaven.

[br0ken_dolly]

this sounds good!! both of them. thank you!

[rock_grrl]

I love making green smoothies using kale. Just add a banana, kale, lemon juice, water, and a sweetener (like maple syrup or dates). You can also add fruit juice, beets, or frozen fruit. It looks like ass but it's hella yummy and very good for you. I would often make them for breakfast but lately I've been making them for lunch.

[mentallymurderd]

so you include the spine of the kale or just the leaves? i make smoothies damn near everyday, i never would have thought of putting kale in it.

[stephaniek1985]

I just use the leaves. My favorite is with a banana, some nectarines, peaches or apricots, and lots of frozen berries, plus a bit of maple syrup (I use really sweet things to balance out the bitterness of the kale). The color is TOTALLY off-putting, but they're healthy and delicious!

[rock_grrl]

I use the leaves ... some times part of the spine but not normally. I normally always add a whole raw beet to the mix (with greens if I have them) as it sweetens it up a bit, adds yummy iron, and makes the colour less like green vomit and more like yum. I also make sure to add lemon juice (vitamin c!) to the mix as I find it helps remove some of the bitterness of the kale.

[devilbunnie]

This is my current favorite way to have kale: http://www.fatfreevegan.com/veggies/braised.shtml
Sometimes I substitute sweet potatoes and tweak the recipe to my tastes a little.

There are a bunch more kale recipes here: http://www.fatfreevegan.com/search/search.pl?Terms=kale

[br0ken_dolly]

i'm thinking of trying that braised recipe-- i have a couple sweet potatoes that need some love, too. :)

[surlynymph]

I don't have the recipe on hand but Veganomicon has a WONDERFUL recipe for potato kale enchilada's. Honestly? They are one of my most favorite dishes!

Also, I like to chop kale pretty small and throw it into my stir fry's (fries? :-P)

I also make chickpea salad (basically mashed chickpeas, veganaise, salt and pepper) sandwiches and but them on a bed of kale.

Kale is one of my favorite greens so I pretty much try to figure out any way to add it into my cooking, lol.

Hope that helps!

[surlynymph]

Oh, also, I love it sauteed with garlic and Great Northern beans. I could eat a huge bowl of just that!

[barkis]

ooooh i have been wanting to try that v*con recipe.... now i'll do it for sure!

[stephaniek1985]

Yes--you MUST try this! Mmmmmm.

[arylkin]

I add it to pasta- I'll cut it up with scissors and let it cook the last minute in the pot with the pasta. Add some garlic and pasta sauce and you're good!

I don't think it's especially bitter or bad tasting- I've used the leaves in sandwiches instead of lettuce too.

[br0ken_dolly]

i have hidden spinach in sauce and lasagna... i could do this with kale easy. good idea.

i definitely think it's too bitter to enjoy on its own (or raw in sandwiches), so anything i can do to spruce it up or mask it is good.