What do I make with curly Kale?

auntymabel

Shred it stir-fry. Tastes completely different to when it''s boiled.

Jacksmummy

I Cannot stand it boiled.. I too stir fry it, never thought of cooking it in the oven, will have to give that a go.

Seakay

Like parsnips, kale shouldn't be picked until after the first heavy frost. If you are uncertain then leave it in the freezer overnight. Always cut out the mid ribs and discard them.
I like it braised, added raw to smoothies or cooked in simmering water for 20 mins, drained and pressed to get water out, and dressed with salt, pepper, lemon juice and a knob of butter.

WartimeScrapingofMarmite

I'm not a kale fan either - unfortunately there were quite a few weeks where I had loads of it in my veg box. I made a sort of pesto out of it as suggested in my veg box leaflet - chuck kale, some olive oil, a few almonds and some garlic in a blender and blitz - it sounds vile but is actually surprisingly nice like that! I mixed it into pasta, with a bit of parmesan and was actually sorry when I'd used it up.

gleek1

I like using it instead of cabbage to make a sort of hash with black pudding, shallots and cannellini beans - use a splash stock to bring it all together.

It is also really good with sausages and pasta or meatballs and pasta - I prefer turkey meatballs/chicken sausages.

A great recipe is spaghetti squash with kale and meatballs - if you can get spaghetti squash - it is not the easiest to find but i LOVE it!! Bake squash till you can poke through skin with a fork. Leave to cool then scoop out the spaghetti strands. Make turkey meatballs dollop a bit of tomato puree on the top of each one then bung them to cook in the oven. Fry off some onion and garlic in a pan. Add kale and cook till really soft. Add the squash and the meatballs. Top with lots of parmesan... mmmmm

I would also say that the type of kale makes a difference. I was a bit ambivalent to all bitter greens, but started on cavelo nero then moved onto russian red kale, and now i like the generic curly kale. I usually undercook my veggies, but you really need to cook kale till it is properly soft - can be quite a long time.

HTH

gallygirl

Try stir frying as others have said then add a little butter and lemon zest and juice - lovely :j

Eliza_2

Stir fry with some chopped bacon, as you can do with sprouts too. Also with a sauce made with chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic and olive oil - very yummy. But then I love kale ( and sprouts) just as they are too.

Am very annoyed though that many shops are selling kale now ready chopped instead of large leaves. The more chops there are the more opportunity for vitamins to escape. A bit like watercress, really hard to get this in bunches now, it's all chopped (which I know is down to how they harvest it)

Mrs Grumpy

downshifted

Thank you for all the advice. I had tried the recipe with mushrooms in the link above. Twice. Second time I cooked it for longer. Still not impressed. I like the idea of freezing it first though and will certainly cook it for longer still next time. Stir fry is worth a try too. Cheers.

thriftwizard

Stir-fry with garlic & soy sauce until it's very slightly crispy in places - the taste becomes deliciously nutty.

Tommelise

Try using it raw.
I have never liked cooked kale, but I love it raw in a salad, or finely chopped used like parsley over a salad.

You need to cut the kale very finely, add some vinegar and massage the kale: Like this: https://sites.google.com/site/coastalcooking/apple-cider-kale-salad

I add lots of finely diced Apples and carrots to my salad, but apples, pomegranate and almonds is very good too.

I Will be trying these recipes next:
http://www.wholeliving.com/151383/kale-slaw-carrots-and-peppers

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-1087/Raw-Kale-Salad-with-Avocado-and-Apple.html