Kale Recipes

KaleFrom kale chips to massaged kale salad, kale can be used in so many dishes. Here on the farm, we grow green, red Russian, lacinato, and Nash’s own red kale. Try them all in soups, salads, casseroles, sautees, or any other delicious concoctions.

In the cold months, kales get sweeter. For this hardy brassica, sugar acts as an anti-freeze. Historically, kale has been particularly important in the cuisines of the colder regions of Europe due to its resistance to frost.

Kale has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. In Europe. It was the most popular green vegetable until the Middle Ages when cabbages took the lead. In nineteenth century Scotland, kail was used as a generic term for ‘dinner’ and all kitchens featured a kail-pot for cooking.

Today, kale is enjoying a tremendous resurgence, and small wonder. At just 33 calories, one cup of raw kale has nearly 3 grams of protein; 2.5 grams of fiber; vitamins A, C, and K; folate, a B vitamin that’s key for brain development; alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid; plus phyto-chemicals that give kale its dark green coloring and protect against diseases of the eyes like macular degeneration. Minerals include phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and zinc. It’s a SUPER FOOD!

Kale is very simple to sauté. Pull the green, leafy parts off the stems and break into bite-sized pieces. Lightly sauté in olive oil, with minced garlic, and salt and pepper. You can also coat with oil and bake in a very low oven for kale chips. Add kale to your juice for a real nutrient hit.

Lemon Tahini Kale Salad

lacinato kale

Kale didn’t earn its reputation as a superfood for nothin’!

1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
2 pinches salt (more to taste)
1/3 cup tahini
1 small lemon
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons warm water (more if needed to thin)
1-2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes

Salt the kale and massage with your hands. Let the prepped kale sit while you prepare the dressing. Combine tahini, juice from lemon, soy sauce or tamari, and water and mix well with fork. Add more water to thin as desired. Mince garlic and add to dressing along with sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Pour 3/4 of dressing over kale, mix, and add more if necessary, or reserve for a vegetable sauté or salad dressing for later use.

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Skillet Huevos Rancheros

Eggs1/2 onion, diced
Olive oil
Bell pepper, kale, zucchini, mushrooms (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tomatoes, diced
2 cups cooked, rinsed beans (black beans, pinto, cannellini, or heirloom beans)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons water
4 x 6-inch tortillas
4 eggs (1 per serving — you can add more if you want)
Cracked pepper

Optional:
1/2 cup crumbled cotija, queso fresco, feta or goat cheese (optional)
1 large avocado, sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Hot sauce
Additional fresh diced tomatoes

Preheat oven to 400F. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté onion in a little olive oil until tender, about 5 minutes (if you are adding optional veggies, do it now, cooking until tender). Add garlic and sauté for a minute or two. Add half of the diced tomatoes (saving half for garnish) as well as the beans, spices, salt and water. Let simmer on medium low for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

Brush large cast iron skillet with olive oil, coating the edges too. Lay tortillas down and brush tops of tortillas with oil.

Divide bean mixture, making little indentations with the back of a spoon for the eggs to rest in, so they stay in place. If using a large skillet, layer the tortillas so they come up the sides of the skillet a bit (you may need a couple extra), and spread all of the beans evenly over the tortillas, making indentations for the eggs.

Carefully break the eggs and place them in the indentations. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper and, if you want, crumbled cheese, and place in the hot oven.

Check after 10-12 minutes. Cook until egg whites are white and yolks are to your desired done-ness. Serve with avocado, lime, cilantro, hot sauce, and fresh tomatoes.

We thank Feastingathome.com for this recipe.

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Mixed Slaw & Warm Ginger Dressing

Salad
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and shredded
1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, shredded
2 kale leaves, de-stemmed and finely sliced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
10 sprigs parsley, chopped
1 fennel bulb, halved, cored, and shaved thin
1 Bosc pear, cored and thinly sliced
1/3 cup sunflower seeds

Dressing
2” piece ginger, peeled and minced
Juice of 1 lemon
2-3 tablespoons raw honey
Pinch cayenne
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients. Set aside.

In a small saute pan, add all dressing ingredients and cook until warm and fragrant (2-3 minutes), stirring frequently. Remove from heat and pour directly onto salad. Toss salad to distribute dressing evenly.

We thank chef Annie McHale of Port Angeles for this recipe.

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Creamy Kale Salad

Nash's Red Kale, 2 bunches1 ripe avocado, halved, seed removed
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
3 tablespoons walnut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 bunch kale (8 ounces), stemmed and coarsely chopped
1 small red beet, peeled and thinly sliced
1 sweet, crisp apple, cored and cut into thin wedges
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Combine avocado, vinegar, mustard and oil in a food processor. Pulse until smooth (it will be thick). Season with salt and pepper. Combine kale, beets, apple and walnuts in a large bowl. Toss with avocado dressing and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

We thank Whole Living, January/February 2011 edition, for this recipe.

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Cheesy Kale and Quinoa Casserole

green curly kale

The recipe calls for green kale, but you can try red kale, too. Which kale is your favorite for casseroles?

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green kale, stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup cooked quinoa
Zest of 1 lemon
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided
Salt and red pepper flakes, to taste

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease a 2-3 quart baking dish with olive oil or butter and set aside.

Add the olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-low heat. When hot, add in the onion and cook until tender and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add in the kale and vegetable broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 6-8 minutes, until the kale has wilted down and the broth has evaporated. Remove from the heat.

Put the vegetable mixture in a large bowl, along with the quinoa, lemon zest, cannellini beans, Greek yogurt and 1 cup of the cheddar. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Bake for about 10-13 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted.

Recipe adapted from OhMyVeggies.com.

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Potatoes and Grilled Kale

rainbow lacinato kale raab

What’s that — you’ve never grilled kale before? Now’s your chance!

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 pounds small potatoes
Salt
1 pound shallots, unpeeled
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup cornichons (tiny pickles), chopped
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 bunch kale, ribs and stems removed
3 scallions, sliced
1 cup parsley leaves with stems

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil grate.

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Season with salt and bring to a boil, then simmer until tender. Drain.

Grill shallots, turning occasionally until skins are blackened and flesh is tender. Let cool, halve lengthwise and scoop out insides, discarding skins.

Whisk lemon juice, vinegar and 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add cornichons, capers, and potatoes and toss to coat.

Toss kale and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a bowl. Season with salt. Grill, turning often, until charred and crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Fold into salad, along with scallions, parsley and shallots.

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Tuscan Kale Salad

Lacinato kale4-6 cups lacinato (Tuscan) kale, midribs removed, thinly sliced, and loosely packed
Juice of 1 lemon
3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, mashed
Salt & pepper, to taste
Hot red pepper flakes to taste
2/3 cup grated Pecorino Toscano (or Asiago, Parmesan, or Romano) cheese
1/2 cup freshly made bread crumbs from lightly toasted bread

Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, hot red pepper flakes. Pour over kale in serving bowl and toss well. Add two-thirds of the cheese and toss again. Let kale sit for at least 5 minutes. Add bread crumbs, toss again, and top with remaining cheese.

Recipe from www.drweil.com.

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Sausage Bean Pasta Ragout

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound Nash’s ground pork sausage
2 14-ounce cans diced tomatoes in juice
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups cooked beans (kidney, pinto, black)
4 teaspoons dried basil, or 1 cup fresh
3 teaspoons oregano
Crushed red pepper, to taste
1/2 cup macaroni
2 cups fresh greens (kale/chard/spinach/arugula/cabbage)
1/3 cup grated romano cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: grated beets, carrot, and turnips

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté 6 minutes. Add sausage and sauté until brown, breaking up meat with back of fork, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, broth, beans, basil, oregano, and dried crushed red pepper. (Optional: add grated beets, carrot, and turnips too!) Simmer 15 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Add pasta and cook until tender but still firm to bite, about 15 more minutes. Add greens and cook just until wilted, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Mix in 1/3 cup cheese and more fresh basil, if you have some. Season ragout with salt and pepper; ladle into bowls. Serve, passing additional cheese separately.

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Triticale and Squash Risotto

winter squash: delicata, sweet meat, sugar pie pumpkin, lower salmon river

Which squash is your favorite in triticale risotto? Let us know in the comments below!

2 cups triticale berries, soaked for at least 8 hours and drained thoroughly
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 medium butternut, acorn or delicata squash, peeled, seeded and diced
2 x 14-1/2-ounce cans chicken broth
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup white wine
3/4 pound winter greens (kale, chard, collards), trimmed and leaves chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Cover triticale with fresh water and boil for 20 minutes. Drizzle melted butter over squash on a jelly roll pan; toss. Bake 25-35 minutes or until tender and browned. Bring broth and water to a simmer in a saucepan. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large pot; add onions and cook 4-6 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add wine and cook 1 minute more. Stir in drained triticale and cook until wine is absorbed. Reduce heat to medium and gradually add broth mixture half a cup at a time, stirring, until liquid is absorbed and triticale is tender, 12-17 minutes. Stir in the squash, greens, thyme, salt, pepper and nutmeg; cook, stirring, 4-5 minutes or until greens are tender. Stir in grated parmesan. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.

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