So Much Kale!!!

So much kale!  One thing you never run short of being a CSA member or having a community garden these days is kale.  The other day my parents, who are part of a community garden, asked what I do with kale.

First is the prep:

I like to rip it from the tough spine and then into pieces that are a little larger then bite size.

Then wash and dry the kale or use a salad spinner

Kale Chips (without a dehydrator)

Toss prepped kale with a drizzle of olive oil

Sprinkle with sea salt and toss again

Lay out on a cookie sheet

Bake 275* for about 30 minutes.  They will be done when they are dry and crisp.

**you can have fun with seasoning.  Try a little chili powder or garlic or Parmesan cheese. 

Kale and Collard Dinner salad

1 bunch prepped kale

1 bunch prepped collard

2 avocado, cubed

4 hard boiled eggs, diced

1 pint cherry or grape tomato

1/2 cup toasted pecans

6 strips of cooked bacon or diced ham

dressing;

1/2 cup of olive oil

juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4c)

2 cloves of minced garlic

2 tsp dijon

1 tsp seas salt

Whisk together dressing ingredients and refridgerate for 1 hour

Toss remaining ingredients together, then coat with dressing

Cooked Kale (or Collards or Chard) Side Dish

3 tbs of olive oil or butter

2 cloves minced garlic

1 small oinion, diced

1 large bunch of prepped Greens

Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste

In a large, heavy bottom pot (I use a dutch oven), sautee onion and garlic in the oil or margaine. 

Add kale/greens.  Mix until coated.  Cook on medium heat until well wilted, it will look very dark and moist.

*I like to add some dried cranberries

Blanching Greens

When in doubt, blanch and save it for later.  Blanching is a way to keep greens fresh, vibrant and preserving their nutrients while waiting it out in the freezer.  

Rip greens into bite size, wash and dry

I like to use a wire basket that folds

Place in a basket in boiling water for 3 minutes

Remove from boiling water and place into an ice bath for 3 minutes.  This stops the cooking process

*This is why I like a collapsible wire basket, it folds into itself keeping the greens from floating.*

Place cooled greens into a towel and squeeze out the excess liquid.

(I just use my clean hands)

Its now ready to freeze.