by Holly Yzquierdo 13 Comments
It seems like as soon as you announce you are moving toward a plant-based or vegan diet the world assumes you love kale. As if by default you become a card-carrying member of the “I Love Kale” fan club a.k.a. Kale Club; you even buy the t-shirt.
Do you want to hear a secret?
I don’t like kale. There I said it. I really don’t like raw kale. Gasp!
I have discovered a few ways to eat kalethat aren’t all that bad. Just in case you are like me, I wanted toshare them with you. That way if you are ever cornered in an elevator with a Kale Club member you can speak convincingly on the subject.
1. Soup
My favorite way to eat Kale is finely chopped in soup. I put so many veggies in soup anyway that I can easily add another. Just make sure you chop it well. To make it even easier buy frozen chopped kale. I use kale in my Potato Kale Soup and it’s delicious!
2. Smoothies
It’s well documented that I don’t care for smoothies but my family loves them. They all eat kale in smoothies (when I buy it) but the frozen kale is easy to keep on hand if you can’t go through it fast enough.
3. Pureed/Finely Chopped in Casserole Type Dishes
In my Gluten-Free Vegan Lasagna I use spinach that has gone through my food processor a few times. Kale can be used in its place. It also works well in Enchiladas and Broccoli and Rice.
4. Stir Fry’s
For me Stir Fry’s are one of my favorite ways to use up leftovers. Again, I recommend finely chopping the kale and adding it toward the end of the cooking time. Make sure your Stir Fry is well seasoned.
5. Powdered Kale
This one is new to me and I confess I haven’t tried it yet. I was on Pinterest and discovered How to Make Kale Powder and Use it by Mom with a Prep.
6. Kale Chips
I have made Kale Chips and they were ok, a little dry but of course I didn’t use oil. Even though it’s too hot (for me) to turn on my oven I’ve also successfully made them on the grill. You can also buy Kale Chips in most stores these days but they are kind of pricey. They are easy to make so give them a try. I youngest son loves them.
I think I’m probably in the majority here. Do me a favor and tell me what you really think of kale. If you have recipes share them too.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Kristen saysI actually don’t like it either! I’ve tried making the chips & also buying them at the store & they give me horrible bathroom troubles! I’m a texture person, so if I can feel the texture of kale in anything I make, it’s a done deal for me- I’m not eating it! I think my best bet would be in a soup like you suggested!
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- Holly says
I completely understand Kristen! Soup is by far the best for me. I chop it very finely and put it in towards the end. The last batch of soup I made I got over ambitious and had to scoop some of the kale out. I could handle it, it was too much.
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- Jane says
I saute a whole red onion and about 3 to 4 tomatoes on med to low heat till they are well cooked, add sriracha, salt and black pepper to taste before I add the kale. I cook it for about 15 minutes stirring it often. I eat this with rice or a Kenyan dish called Ugali(stiff cornmeal porridge)
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- Anna@stuffedveggies says
Kale was an acquired taste for me, too, but I DID acquire it. I confessed my dislike to my Omnivore Sister (who loves it) and she helped point me in the right direction – to prepare it in a way I would like. Here are a couple of recipes that helped me:
http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/2012/12/kale-tomatoes-with-tahini-sauce.html
http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/2013/02/dinosaur-salad-kale-salad.htmlRemember the old Chex cereal commercial? If you don’t like Chex cereal, you’ve never tried Chex Cereal? Well, if you don’t like Kale, you’ve never tried Kale (at least, not prepared in a way that suits your palate). I also like it in smoothies once in a while.
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- Michaela Sandering says
Bought Kale the first time at the market this weekend. Will see what I can do with it. Most likely “hide” it in some sauce or soup. I like Jane’s idea ^^, and will try it. I am enterprising enough to try most food at least once. But if it doesn’t work for me, I don’t feel bad to drop it from my menu.
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- An Unrefined Vegan says
I’m totally with you on this one! I dutifully eat kale – but most often in my morning smoothie or in soups, or steamed and paired with rice and beans.
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- Holly says
I’m glad! I’ll never make it to that level of Kale Lover. We eat a lot of spinach though and enjoy it. We will keep giving it a try though.
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- paul k. says
Tastes awful. Kale chips aren’t as bad but still aren’t good. I just eat spinach instead. Bitter and nasty. Messes up most things it touches.
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- Christine says
Lol! That’s what I say too!
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- Martha says
I finally found a kale salad. Make vinegret with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and massage the dressing into the kale for a few minutes. Top with craisins and chopped nuts. I LOVE craisins so I can eat the kale if needed in order to get the craisins
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- Holly says
I’m happy to hear that Martha! It’s good to pair things together, it will trick you into eating more. Like hummus helps me eat a lot of raw veggies that I wouldn’t eat alone.
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- herbie says
I accidentally planted Kale this year thinking it was kohlrabi. DISASTER TWICE OVER! Not only do I not have any kohlrabi but I have this massive amount of kale. Currently I am trying to give it away at work but I may try a very small amount in a stirfry.
Know anyone how lives near Montreal and wants some kale?
herbie
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- Marion says
If you’re in eastern MA and want some kale, visit me! I planted some last year, and accidentally planted it again this year – and the 1st batch survived over winter & is combining with this year’s batch, and taking over my garden. I really tried to plant spinach, which I love, but spinach won’t grow for me, while kale, which I find boring…
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