July 12, 2008
All about Kale and How to Cook with It
Kale is something that many cooks have not come across but if you find out a little more about it, you will find out that kale is very versatile and can be used in many different recipes. Kale is a delicious leafy green and there are many kale recipes to choose from out there. You might want to try a kale soup recipe, a kale salad recipe or add it to stews and casseroles.
Kale was the most common green vegetable in Europe until the 1600s, and even before that, we have had evidence of the cultivation of Kale going back to the fourth century BC in Greece. Kale was a favorite addition to the British Victory Gardens of World War II, and today, people are finding more reasons than ever to add it to their diets.
If you can go long periods without cooking, you have probably had the unpleasant experience of opening up your refrigerator and finding that your vegetables have turned brown and soggy. Luckily, kale freezes very well, and gets a sweeter taste after being exposed to a frost. If you have fresh kale, especially if you have the very tender shoots, add them into your salads. Some ideas for a kale salad include using roasted nuts, strong peppers, and peanuts, all to emphasize the strong, almost smoky taste.
Kale is a green that is eaten around the world, and there are plenty of recipes to choose from. If you like cooked vegetables over raw ones, take a look at the kale recipes from the southern half of Africa, where kale is typically boiled with coconut milk and ground up or powdered peanut before being served on top of rice or a variety of flat breads. This is a great way to enjoy some extremely tasty vegetarian food, if you are looking to cut back on the meat in your diet.
Kale is often combined with ground or sliced meat, such as ground beef or spicy sausage, in Europe. It is usually combined with broth, olive oil, and potatoes to complement the meat. This means the meat will not obscure the taste of the greens because kale is quite a strong and tasty vegetable and can easily stand up to the meat flavor. It is nice chopped up and used as a stir-fry ingredient. This type of dish is made in many different countries.
You might like to add some Japanese shiitake mushrooms if you are creating a kale stir-fry. Take off the kale stems and slice the leaves into large pieces. Heat some oil in a wok or frying pan and fry the garlic, mushrooms, and anything else you add on a low to medium heat. When the ingredients are tender, add the kale and any seasonings you want, such as pepper, sesame oil, and soy sauce. This tasty dish takes just minutes to make.
Kale is an extremely underrated vegetable, but with a little bit of effort, you can see how easily it slips into your diet. Take advantage of this dark green vegetable and integrate it into your daily life!
Filed under Cooking Tips and Recipes by KC Kudra




