Kale was the "superfood of the year" a couple years ago and even though the fair-weather fans have fallen of the bandwagon by now, I'm still on it and advocating you get back on it too. Because the bottom line is that kale is super nutritious and can be really delicious. Packed with Vitamins A, C and K, and rich in calcium while being low in calories - it is truly a powerhouse on your plate. Let's talk about all the ways you can eat more kale...
Steamed
This was the first way I ever ate kale and to this day it remains one of my favorite preparations. I simply remove it from the stalk and add it to a steamer basket in a pot with an inch or so of water, then let it steam with the lid on until the leaves are bright green. Add a pinch of salt and use it as a base for your dinner bowl (I love to add quinoa and a piece of fish on top!)
Boiled
Adding kale to soups or grains (as they cook) helps to boost the nutrition of the dish and (like with steaming) this cooking method helps really break down the bitter flavor of the kale and make it much more palatable. I love adding kale to rice or quinoa as it boils in the pot (curly kale especially) or to soups and stews and curry too!
Baked/Fried
Though admittedly not my favorite preparation, kale can be pan fried or baked into "kale chips" for a crispy snack. There are lots of recipes for this preparation on the internet and it is definitely worth trying! The key in this type of preparation is adding spices you enjoy as the bitterness of the kale is retained more when it is cooked this way.
Raw
Kale salads can be intimidating to even the most "granola" of us! But dinosaur kale especially makes a wonderful addition to a hearty lunch time meal. The key to a tasty kale salad is to mix the kale with other sweeter and crunchier greens to balance the kale which is more bitter and chewy. I like a mix of spinach, romaine and dinosaur kale in salads. Before adding the kale, remove it from the stems and massage it in a bowl (with your hands) with some oil and coarse salt for just a few minutes. You'll notice a change in the texture of the kale - a change that makes it much more delicious and easier to digest!
I hope this list gives you some ideas for incorporating more kale into your diet! If you make a kale inspired dish this week make sure to put a picture of it in your stories on Instagram and tag us. We would love to see your creations and get inspired by you as well!
Enjoy!
- Barb
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