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| Photo via EA Stewart, caption mine. |
I am concerned for kale. It’s everywhere I look. It’s in recipes in so many magazines and not just the health oriented ones. We can’t keep the Kale Krackers in stock; Carolyn coined it “kale krack”. Clients who don’t even eat greens are chugging kale-containing green juices. Kale may very well be risking overexposure. It can’t be long before there’s a new green on the street- collards or beet greens, maybe even dandelions. Before we kale out, before chocolate covered kale and the inevitable creation of kale in a capsule, I thought I’d share my top kale moments.
Hail Kale Caesar I love this recipe from EA Stewart’s Spicy RD blog, I went crouton-less and cut the cheese (stop) a little and this was well received. It makes a lot and I topped with avocado one day, cooked shrimp another. Bookmark this recipe, it’s a keeper.
Kale Krackers the aforementioned “wack” snack. If you are someone who gets fixated on certain foods, I would advise you to not starting with these. Habit forming. Do you need another habit?
Crispy Coconut Kale from a blog called Holy Kale and the authors name is Lauren. I wonder what will happen to her site if people turn on kale.
Green Pineapple Smoothie-I’m a believer in “greening” every meal; however if you want to add kale to smoothies you will probably need a Vitamix.
Green Juice try kale, cucumber, parsnips, pear, lemon and ginger, so good.
Unlike the Kardashians, kale is worth the hype but so are most superfoods, remember acai?
Do you kale? If so, when did you join the kale club? What are your favorite kale concoctions?
I do love me some kale! I am going to boookmark a couple of these recipes, thanks for sharing! I typically throw steamed or sauteed (or microwaved if I am in a rush) kale together with zucchini, asparagus, onions, garlic and spices and serve top with 1 egg/ 2 white scramble. Or I do same concoction with a piece of protein and a small sweet potato. My new favorite combo of greens. I avoid the kale chips because a. I will eat the entire container and b. they are more expensive than gold.
ReplyDeleteLove those "green eggs" Cameo. I think I 'd choose kale krackers over gold.
DeleteKale is one of my favorites. I like it braised over farro with a fried or poached egg on top. A perfect cold-weather dinner. This reminded me of a book I just read, "The Happiness Diet", by Dr. Drew Ramsey. He is a psychiatrist who is into foods that make you feel good... like kale. In fact, I think he has declared March "kale month"! www.drewramseymd.com. Kale is definitely hot!
ReplyDeletekale is hot Jenna, do you feel clients are asking for greens more than before or is it just kale. There was a lot of press for the Happiness Diet. Isn't a good diet a happiness diet or am I being cynical?
DeleteLauren, it seems that we share the same food fetishes. I love kale, I think it's so versatile and I can't think of many recipes that you can't add some kale too. The fact that ya such a nutrition superstar is just a bonus for me, I think it tastes great. I'm loving kale chips, posted a recipe recently with pecorino and cracked pepper. (more krack
ReplyDeleteuh oh I am scared to try kale chips with pecorino, a fetish for sure. Yes, total superstar but not to sound like a kindergarten teachers, there are many stars in the sky. Did we forget spinach?
DeleteI'm a kale-a-holic. Fully hooked on kale salads, green juices, and kale chips. Best nutritional bang for the buck. If you're ever downtown, 100 Acres restaurant has the best kale salad in town.
ReplyDeleteInteresting so kaleaholism isn't gender specific, good to know Metrodad. And are you insinuating this Foodtrainer doesn't go downtown? I will check out that salad and may even recreate it with chard (the methadone green).
ReplyDeleteKale smoothies in our Blendtec here, or I add it to soups, but goodness it does seem to be ubiquitous. I haven't bought any products starring kale as an ingredient. That kale hazelnut salad sounds good to try.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you'll be glad to know I retired the gum jar (I had it instead of a cookie jar) from the counter, thanks to you.
Yes, Amy I'm so proud of you and your gumlessness. Maybe it becomes a kale chip jar? Roasted chickpeas? Even nuts would be good. Let me know if you try the salad, I liked the flavors a lot.
DeleteI never imagined I would see my Kale Caesar linked to the Kardashians-lol! Thanks so much for sharing my recipe Lauren, and so glad you liked it! I love your idea to add "potato croutons" on top too! You know I <3 kale, and loved your pineapple kale smoothie. I actually crave my kale banana smoothie, which is 1 banana, 2 cups kale, vanilla almond milk, cinnamon, and lots of ice. That coconut kale recipe sounds delicious too!
ReplyDeleteYou know EA, I like to bring you up to speed on all things trivial so I thought I could connect the two of you. The potato croutons were good. I like the cinnamon in your smoothie, kale seems to take on sweet flavors easily.
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of kale...I can take it or leave it. But this fairly new restaurant called True Food Kitchen (you would love it!) has an amazing kale salad covered in cheese and olive oil. Not sure how healthy it is but it's divine!
ReplyDeleteAmeena I think Dr Andrew Weil is behind True Food. Would you believe my old email address was Truefood2 (they stole my name!). I don't think the chain has come easy but I've heard great things.
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised to see kale in a capsule lol!!
ReplyDeleteI like cooked kale and kale smoothies but not a big fan of it raw. Although I think I would like the kale caesar salad!
The Caesar mellows the kale and it's really good, worth a try. I'm shocked there's been no chia/kale combos for you Lisa.
DeleteI love kale (as much as anyone should love a vegetable). I love it in chili, soups, and stews; makes a great side dish when steamed. It's my go-to veggie b/c it's so versatile and tasty.
ReplyDeleteI have 4 bunches in my fridge now!
I want to see photographic evidence of "4 bunches". Once I see, you're president of the kale club.
DeleteI literally laughed out loud at the title :) I really like Kale and can't wait to plant it in the garden again this year - I love picking a few leaves at a time. I use it in place of spinach sometimes but don't buy it too often - every attempt at making kale chips has resulted in burning them.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a chuckle out of it, the 2 K's I couldn't resist. I think key to not burning kale chips (other than low oven 275) is making sure the kale leaves are dry when they go in the oven after you wash them. Oil s fine but the water leads to burning.
DeleteThanks for the water tip! Maybe I'll make one more attempt...
DeleteHi lauren ,
ReplyDeletecan i ask what is the kale? is it available? in the local stores? im not in the U.S SO I COULDN'T FIND IT :(
Thank you for your comment. Kale is a leafy green vegetable. It's all over the markets in the us. Where do you reside? You can substitute spinach, chard or any other dark green in the recipes above. There are many kale varieties my favorite is Tuscan Kale aka dinosaur kale.
Deletemay Kale please be the next reality star. please
ReplyDeleteyou'd watch? I think we should call Food Network and pitch them. A day in the life for kale. Who kale hangs out with, what ingredients it likes. Ha.
DeleteI hate reality shows, but LOVE kale. Chop't just added Kale and now I have another reason to go spend $15 on a salad. Kale chips take a bit of experimenting but well worth it. Love them with some red pepper flakes. I joined the Kale club when you told me to....You helped me lose 30 lbs, I tend to listen to you.
ReplyDeleteOoh didn't know about Chopt, kale has arrived. Glad to have you in the kale club.
DeleteLauren, you forgot the latest Whole Foods T-shirt that says, KALE on the front! MY friend just bought me one :) What's the deal?! Since when did kale trump spinach?? Actually, I love kale, and I love it much more than the Kardashians. I Would spend a day with kale much sooner before I'd spend even 10 minutes with a Kardashian. GO KALE! Now I must check out some of those recipes you mentioned...
ReplyDeleteomg "concert' t shirts, I rest my case. Spinach is old school I think/ "vntage".
DeleteYes, I love kale and have for several years, ever since it first showed up in my CSA box... :) I think I like massaged kale and kale chips the most.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love kale, I think there are lots and lots of other great greens out there. We should give them some love, too! :)
spread the love around, right Andrea. Did you throw in "CSA box" to make me jealous? In Kale's reality show one may reside in a CSA box and another in a supermarket soon to be sprayed with all that mist to look pretty.
DeleteI'm really late to the show here, but I've come along to say loved kale for years. And this isn't because I'm in the Midwest, it's because I don't pay attention...when did it become popular? I honestly didn't realize this. What I do know is that the "bunch" of kale at the store has gotten smaller and more expensive. A farmer friend up in Sioux Falls grows it and sent me some. I don't know why, but she gave me precious little. I mean, she had an entire field of it! ;)
ReplyDeleteI recall about 4-5 years ago my store didn't always have kale. I asked the produce manager one time and he said they had some back in the butcher department - they used it as decoration. He got me some and they charged me an outrageous price for it (I think it was $8.99 a pound). I didn't ask him again! Now it is always available. Maybe that should have been my first clue to growing popularity?
I throw it in my smoothies as well and don't care if it comes up my straw in little pieces. I love it in soup - gives it some "tooth" and I love it in a hot skillet then served beside scrambled eggs. OK, I'm not going to hijack your blog comments anymore! Just lovin' on the kale!