Simple yet elegant, a tasty way to prepare kale!

Here is my fun, simple and supremely easy kale recipe, adapted from/inspired by one my cousin Elizabeth made while we were all in New Orleans over the holidays.  Eat it hot, cold, room-temp, however you like it! Stays good at least three days in the fridge (i know that only because I just finished off the huge batch I made Monday night!).

Ingredients:
1 lb. Kale (I used curly leaf, but feel free to experiment with other varieties and          
                us know!)
1/2 cup tap water
2-3 tbsps. lemon juice 
2 tbsps. olive oil (or try avocado oil, I have done that as well)
pinch of sea salt (try coarse ground, nice texture)
ground pepper to taste
3 tbsps. roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds
2 tbsps. shredded parmesan cheese

So of course first you gotta get your kale.  In Charleston, I have been getting mine from the Harris Teeter on Savannah Highway.  Its $0.99/lb sold loose, and comes from a farm in North Carolina.  I have used curly leaf kale, though there are multiple varieties and I would love to try out some others.  Wash your leaves first, as with any leafy green, to remove any excess dirt and sand.  You can also buy pre-packaged kale that has already been washed and trimmed.

Next you will want to trim the kale leaves to remove ribs and stems and then cut it down into edible sized pieces.

Put kale in a medium saucepot and add your water.  Place over medium high heat and cover with lid.  Cook this way for about 5 minutes (until you start building up steam) and then remove lid and continue cooking until remaining water steams off (about 10 minutes).

Kale should be tender like sauteed spinach and will take on a nice dark green coloring.  Transfer to bowl or desired serving dish and add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and toss.  If serving hot, go ahead and add the parmesan cheese and sunflower seeds.  If serving cold, refrigerate about 30 minutes (or pop it in the freezer for 15, if you have room!) and then add the final two ingredients.  

Serve and enjoy!! You have now conquered this nutrient rich, delicious, albeit somewhat intimidating dark leafy green!

Nutrition Facts

  6 Servings

Amount Per Serving

  Calories             90.7

  Total Fat            7.1 g

                 Saturated Fat    1.0 g

                 Polyunsaturated Fat       1.8 g

                 Monounsaturated Fat   3.7 g

  Cholesterol       0.0 mg

  Sodium               68.5 mg

  Potassium         216.5 mg

  Total Carbohydrate        6.2 g

                 Dietary Fiber     2.1 g

                 Sugars 1.2 g

 Protein 2.6 g