I really want to like kale

[Pool Hall Ace]

I don't really know much about kale, other than as a pretty yet bitter-tasting garnish. I understand that it is quite nutritious, but I'm not sure how to prepare it.

Is there any reason why kale cannot be steamed and served with some balsamic vinegar? I saw a recipe for kale chips, which people seem to either really love or really hate. I thought no one would know better than vegans and vegetarians what to do with kale. So what have you got?

[LaurenG]

1. I usually cook all greens about the same

take about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, heat in a pan, add a 1/4 teaspoon of black mustard seeds and about 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, heat until the mustard seeds start to pop and then add the kale, cook it down, then add water and simmer until tender. You can add salt and pepper at the end.

You can eat it with some braggs organic cider vinegar. Best wishes for yummy greens!

[yewberry]

2. I love kale, but it's kind of a pain.

Unless it's very young kale, I cut out the stiff rib and rough-chop it. Unless it's baby kale, it really has to be cooked or it'll be tough.


Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Add some chopped yellow or white onion, salt, pepper, and a dash of red pepper flake and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add some garlic, kale, and veg stock or water (about 1/3 cup per bunch, depending--just don't let it get too dry or the garlic will burn). Cook (med or med-high), stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes; add a splash of cider vinegar if you like in the last minute of cooking.

Kale is best after a frost--it's sweeter--and should stay cool until cooking.

I actually prefer chard (use less liquid and cook for less time on a lower heat) and my favorite green is beet greens. It's much sweeter and turns the onions pink!

[flvegan]

3. I'm anti-kale. It's a scarlet letter I wear.

No, seriously, it's one of the reasons we dropped out of the local co-op farm. It was 25% kale year round. I could only find one dish that I actually could make that I could stomach the stuff.

It's VERY good for you, which is why it pains me to dislike it so.

[LeftyMom]

4. I'm not any good at making cooked greens that taste any good.

Actually, the only place I've ever found I'd happily eat cooked greens from is the ital (rastafarian veg) place here in town, but unfortunately they ran afoul of zoning issues and had to close down.

[peacebuzzard]

5. in Brazil, kale or other bitter greens are served as a side to beans

Like the southern style of beans and greens. (but, please....minus the hunks of flesh)

I grew up with that served with the typical black beans, and it is a taste that reminds me of home as a child. I like it sauteed with the usual olive oil, garlic and thinly sliced onions.

[livetohike]

6. I love all greens - the more simply prepared the better

All I do is chop the kale (even use the stems if they aren't too tough) and steam them in a colander over boiling water. Then I add a little butter and salt and pepper. My Texan friends would douse this with Tabasco or hot pepper oil :-).

[flamingyouth]

7. I love it, personally.

It's also incredibly good for you. Sadly, I'm married to an anti-kale person (the hater).

I love this dish: Indian-spiced chickpeas and kale, from "Eating Well" magazine.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/indian_kale_chickpea.html?utm_source=EWTWNL

[NMMNG]

8. I'm no fan of cooked greens

x(

But raw spinach is quite yummy in a salad (I don't know if kale can be used as such).

[AlienGirl]

9. Colcannon!

Take about three big leaves of kale and chop it really fine. Then put it in a frying pan with some oil or margarine and seasonings to taste (usually I use some salt, a lot of pepper, and a little garlic). Let it cook in the oil until it's wilty and dark green. Then mix it, oil and all, with some leftover mashed potatoes and heat that mixture over medium heat until the flavors blend nicely together.

Tucker

[yewberry]

10. Good heavens, woman!

It's nice to see you here.

How have you been? I hope all is well for you. Seattle is, well, soggy. It is still February. We've got a few buds and blossoms, though, and King5 is showing 'Gardening with Ciscoe' more often than I can stomach.

:hi:

[AlienGirl]

11. I'm in FloriDUH of all places

I miss Seattle's restaurants and scenery. Not so much the weather. I have a Real Cubicle Job down here, which is a huge improvement. But my best friend moved back to Seattle, so I don't get around much anymore...

:hi:

King5 are optimists; gardening isn't gonna be good till at least mid-May...

Tucker

[Critters2]

12. Steaming kale is fine. I do it when i have it.

I belong to a CSA from which I get veggies in the summer. Kale is one of the things I get nearly every week. I have steamed kale a lot. I also sautee it in olive oil.