Kale. No holds barred (‘cept covid ; )

[bscinstnct]

This thread is about Kale.

 

Kale is very divisive. If you ask people if they like it, their eyes will either light up, or their face will screw into an expression of utter disgust. There is no middle ground.

 

Personally, I like Kale. I actually think the flavor is fine (as good as broccoli or spinach or any other dark green), it’s totally loaded (over 100% value) of Vitamins C, A, and K. And it’s got tons of fiber and it just feels healthy to eat.

 

We eat Kale at least 2 or 3 times a week. Big servings, like a loaded saucepan you have to push down to close before cooking.

 

Which brings to mind. If you eat Kale, how do you prepare it? If you eat it raw, my hats off to ya.

 

I think the best way to make it is to have no big stems, put a bunch in a saucepan with about an inch and a half of water, let the water come to a full boil. Then, lower the heat, give it a dose of good olive oil and salt and pepper, mix it, then lower heat to a simmer. Then, let it simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Til it’s broken down and not too hard but still has a little firmness. Drain it good, hit with another dose of olive oil and salt. Then mix it up and eat as a side.

 

Curious if anybody has a favorite way to cook it.

 

So. Love Kale, hate kale, this is the opportunity to make your opinion known ; )

[JackpotJohnny]

My kid puts it on her avacado toast before she makes tiktok videos.

[scratchswinger]

Steam it, add some lemon juice, red pepper, salt and olive oil. I eat baby kale probably 3-5x per week raw with some sort of dressing, hemp seed and pumpkin seed. To me the baby kale is easier and tastes better.

[bscinstnct]

 

Whoa, smart kid, definitely going places ; )

[JackpotJohnny]

I sure hope so, or I’ll be asking for for a refund on my six figures in tuition.

[sharkiesj]

I like kale. Sprinkle some dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. Yum. I will caution that one can actually eat too much kale or cruciferous vege’s. Can affect your thyroid gland and can lead to hypothyroidism which gives one dry skin, weight gain, feeling lethargic and constipation.

[boyd59]

There's a very large Portuguese influence in my area. They love kale soup. Many times they'll add Portuguese chourico to it.

[highergr0und]

I throw it in smoothies - does that count?

[bscinstnct]

 

Whoa. My in laws make soup with Kale and potatoes but the sausage must kick it up very nicely. Gotta expand my kale horizons; )

[bscinstnct]

 

Nice! That sounds uber healthy. Gotta get into those smoothies too. What else you put in.

 

Im impressed at all the Kale-ophiles!

 

Was thinking we’d have the “anti-kale” contingent slamming it as a “vile weed” by now, lol.

[sunbeltgolfer]

We keep soup with northern beans, kale and smoked beef sausage in the fridge most of the time. Makes great lunches and an easy warmup for dinner if we're too lazy to cook. The base is chicken stock and white wine.

[Bob Cat]

Yep, kale in smoothies. Wife throws it on a cookie sheet with salt and cooks it in the oven to make kale chips.

[Aimee]

My sister's go to salad - finely shred raw kale leaves (after removing stems), salt/pepper, balsamic, olive oil. Mush it up with your hands to break it down a little (like making coleslaw), let it sit for an hour. Toss in some shredded parmesan and toasted pine nuts. Great room temp salad.

[bscinstnct]

Well, I’m very impressed with all this love for Kale and these eye opening ways to prepare.

 

Im definitely going to give some kale chips a go at some point.

 

Where all you kale haters?! Throw down ?

 

Ill just present a humble kale side dish prepared in the manner I described...

[larrywal]

I also love Kale but found out the hard way that to much (for me anyway) helped in the forming of kidney stones,asparagus also or so I was told...

[bscinstnct]

 

That’s interesting, thanks. I took a quick look and found info on this.

 

I wonder how much is “too much” and could be as issue.

 

We tend to alternate between kale and broccoli rabe (that’s another thread, love that stuff) for dinner. Don’t tend to eat “dark greens” besides that.

[JoseR]

Kale is ok, spinach and arugula are better in my opinion. I’ll do kale chips, smoothies, salads and sautéed.

[scotee]

OK Basic. I cook it almost exactly as you do. The one difference. I put it back in the fridge in a sealed container. Check it once a week for a month and then throw it out.

[bscinstnct]

 

Shots fired!...Kale ? haters gonna hate ; )

 

 

[scotee]

Just answering the call Maybe I have just not had good Kale. It was strong flavored and tough like paper. Tried it cooked and in salad. We have a garden and like Chard, Spinach and other greens. Mrs. scotee sneaks it into green smoothies but other than that our Kale experience has been unappetizing. We actually had Rainbow Chard last night. She sautéed onion and garlic in olive oil in a large fry pan and added the Chard until wilted and cooked. Salt and pepper and served with lemon wedges.

[bscinstnct]

“Maybe I have just not had good Kale. It was strong flavored and tough like paper.”

 

Thats actually good kale ?

 

So, I hear ya. I love chard, and won’t pretend, it is more palatable and even creamy and rich compared to kale.

 

But thats how you gotta roll with kale. You suck it up and chew away knowing how dang good it is for you, dang it ; )

 

 

[scotee]

One of my favorite backhanded food compliments. "That really tastes healthy"

[shoot4par]

This ^ Gives it some body.

[bscinstnct]

 

So, we just had a couple of 2” filets cooked in butter and olive oil. Seared, rare. Potato and broccoli rabe.

 

 

Forehanded decadence ; )

 

But tomorrow, grilled chicken and kale ?!