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Home > Explore an Ingredient

Kale

Seasonality

Fall/Winter

Quick Tips

How to cook kale

Kale is a wonderful green to cook in stir-fries, skillet dishes, or stews because it retains a bit of texture. This hearty green can also be eaten raw in salads.

How to buy kale

Look for kale with crisp, firm leaves, and stems without brown or yellow spots. The greens should not look wilted.

How to store kale

Store in an airtight bag up to a week and only wash right before using.

Varieties

Lacinato (dinosaur kale)
Red Russian Kale
Curly Kale
Scarlet

About

While I seem to always lump kale in with spinach and swiss chard, kale is actually part of the cabbage family. I find that compared to spinach and chard, kale is a bit more earthy, with a slightly bitter flavor. Kale is at its best in the cooler weather, as it becomes a bit sweeter with cool air and frost. I primarily use Lacinato kale. The flavor is on the sweeter side and the texture can be a bit softer than other varieties.

Kale can be frozen via blanching for two minutes, followed by an ice bath, patting excess moisture off, then putting in a freezer safe container. Like Swiss chard, kale is a delicious addition to stews, risottos, and enchiladas in the winter. While there is a lot of potential for raw kale dishes, you may find the taste a bit overpowering at first. Instead, I highly suggest making a warm kale dish, and gradually working it into your meals.

How to make kale chips

 All Vegetarian Kale Recipes

  • Bean Bake with Greens and Turnips
    Bean Bake with Greens and Turnips
  • Carrot Curry with Kale and Paneer
    Carrot Curry with Kale and Paneer
  • Coconut Turmeric Quinoa with Kale
    Coconut Turmeric Quinoa with Kale
  • Curry Chickpea Burgers with Coconut Cabbage Slaw
    Curry Chickpea Burgers with Coconut Cabbage Slaw
  • Garlicky Greens | Component Cooking
    Garlicky Greens | Component Cooking
  • Garlicky Kale Pizza with Eggs
    Garlicky Kale Pizza with Eggs
  • Herby Kale Omelette with Manchego Cheese
    Herby Kale Omelette with Manchego Cheese
  • Kale and Chickpea Stew
    Kale and Chickpea Stew
  • Kale Baked Eggs with Dukkah
    Kale Baked Eggs with Dukkah
  • Kale Bulgur Fritters with Garlic Yogurt + Why I Choose Organic
    Kale Bulgur Fritters with Garlic Yogurt + Why I Choose Organic
  • Kale Egg in a Hole
    Kale Egg in a Hole
  • Kale Pasta with Sunflower Cream Sauce
    Kale Pasta with Sunflower Cream Sauce
  • Kale Quiche with Garlic
    Kale Quiche with Garlic
  • Kale Risotto with Farro
    Kale Risotto with Farro
  • Lentil Rotini with Garlicky Kale and Goat Cheese Sauce
    Lentil Rotini with Garlicky Kale and Goat Cheese Sauce
  • Noodles with Kale and Spicy Rhubarb Sauce
    Noodles with Kale and Spicy Rhubarb Sauce
  • Roasted Carrot Multigrain Pilaf with Pepita Pesto
    Roasted Carrot Multigrain Pilaf with Pepita Pesto
  • Roasted Rutabaga Pasta with Cashew Sauce
    Roasted Rutabaga Pasta with Cashew Sauce
  • Savory Oatmeal with Garlicky Kale
    Savory Oatmeal with Garlicky Kale
  • Sesame Delicata Squash Kale Salad
    Sesame Delicata Squash Kale Salad
  • Spiced Summer Squash Salad with Chickpeas
    Spiced Summer Squash Salad with Chickpeas
  • Tahini Kale Caesar Salad with Whole-Grain Croutons
    Tahini Kale Caesar Salad with Whole-Grain Croutons
  • White Bean Masala Smothered Sweet Potatoes
    White Bean Masala Smothered Sweet Potatoes
  • Za’atar Roasted Tomato Salad with Black Lentils
    Za’atar Roasted Tomato Salad with Black Lentils
Kale

Recent Recipes

  • Kale Egg in a Hole
    Kale Egg in a Hole
  • Herby Kale Omelette with Manchego Cheese
    Herby Kale Omelette with Manchego Cheese
  • Lentil Rotini with Garlicky Kale and Goat Cheese Sauce
    Lentil Rotini with Garlicky Kale and Goat Cheese Sauce

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Welcome!

I'm Erin and this is my space for all things vegetarian food inspired by California and my love of cooking.


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