Have you seen kale in the vegetable aisle lately? Chances are you would have, it is one of the ‘on trend’ vegetables this autumn. Kale is a variety of cruciferous vegetables. It has thick stems and typically curly, green leaves that do not form a head. Like many green leafy vegetables, kale is a nutrient powerhouse — it’s a great source of many nutrients including fibre and vitamins A, C and folate. It is very similar to a cabbage so can be prepared in a similar way — it can be served raw as part of a salad or served cooked. However, unlike many green leafy vegetables, kale is very robust and needs dressing (and time!) to soften its leaves if eaten raw.

Pick up some kale next time you are doing your vegetable shop and try these two simple recipes. They’re quick, they’re tasty and they’re healthy!

Kale


Tasty balsamic kale salad

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries, roughly chopped (or currants)
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 2 bunches kale, washed and sliced (remove tough stalks before slicing)
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 60 mL olive oil
  • 20 mL seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Method

  1. Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, rice vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper together.
  2. Stir in cranberries and pour over sliced kale and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes
  3. Toss through Parmesan just prior to serving


Kale with oyster sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches kale, washed and tough stalks removed and leaves cut in half crossways.
  • 60mL oyster sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 50 mL light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 20 mL vegetable oil
  • 10 mL sesame oil

 Method

  1. Mix together oyster sauce, garlic, soy sauce and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Place vegetable oil and sesame oil in a frypan and heat on high for 30 seconds and pour over kale
  3. Drizzle oyster sauce mixture over kale and serve immediately.