Kale + Pumpkin Seed Salad



Kale.

What are my thoughts on kale?  Well, I know it's good for you...a superfood actually!  I've read that kale is one of the healthiest vegetables out there and is rich in vitamin A, C, and K {the cancer fighting kind}.  It's no wonder it's becoming so popular!  But is it actually good?  After seeing an increased frequency of recipes and menu items involving kale, I decided it was high-time to broaden my taste buds and become more familiar with this type of leafy green.  

First of all...I didn't realize there were some many different types of kale.  There's the curly kind and the purple kind...there is even the dinosaur kind!  How do you know which one to choose?  Hmmm...I perused the supermarket aisle and just chose one blindly.  When I got home, I was super intimidated!  The leaves were dense and there was a thick {and I mean, really thick!} stem running right up the middle.  How do I prepare this?  And would it be edible in the end?  I ultimately de-stemmed each leaf and chopped the leaves up to small bite size pieces.  Chopped kale seems much more edible.  And really, once I got it down to a chopped status, the dense leaves didn't seem so bad.

In order to appreciate the kale, I prepared this simple salad.  I just added toasted pumpkin seeds and shredded parmesan.  I dressed the salad in a organic pomegranate dressing and it was perfection.  Apparently, the longer kale sits in dressing, the better.  And next time I think I'll add some pomegranate seeds or dried cranberry.

I'm surprised with how much I actually like kale and want to start using it in more.  While it is dense {and that might take some getting used to}, the sweet dressing actually compliments the bitter leaf and brought out the flavor.  Apparently kale can also be braised or roasted...and makes excellent chips.  Who knew?! 

Are you a fan of kale?  If so, what's your favorite way to prepare it?

xo natasha

PS...today is the last day to enter to win a designer diaper bag!!

18 comments :

  1. I've been wanting to do more things with Kale actually -- so thanks for sharing this! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

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  2. Looks yummy! I've actually used kale in soups and that works well. I've been thinking to use instead of spinach in some recipes, but haven't tried it yet.

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  3. We usually steam it and eat in with a white sauce/olive oil pasta. Add onions, garlic, then shrooms or olives. And when all else fails or there are leftovers that need to go - kale chips. Chop it, toss it in EVOO, season the hell out of it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, pepper flakes, whatever!, spread on a baking sheet (pam'd foil) and bake at 350 for 10 min

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  4. Kale and I have started a very strong relationship. And I love this recipe!

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  5. I used to eat kale when I was kid before we knew it was a super food! Although my mom prepared ours with bacon drippings so pretty sure it wasn't healthy lol ;) But this salad sounds and looks delish...will definitely be trying it! Also they sell it pre chopped and bagged at Trader Joes so you don't have to do all the de stemming. xo

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  6. I love kale. It's great in a smoothie too. Rosie at Blue Angel added a kale salad to the menu last fall -- it's amazing!

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  7. I'm trying to like kale, I really am! I make baked kale chips and I do love those... so salty, slightly bitter. Not so sure about raw kale leaves! :)

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  8. This salad looks delicious! I love making kale chips (Cam is not such a fan though) and to second what Tiara said, the kale salad at Blue Angel is really good! (It's what I got there when I was doing that detox--ha!)

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  9. I love kale, it's become my go-to green. I really like that it doesn't become total mush when you cook it. My fave way to eat it is with some sauteed onion and garlic, cannellini beans, and bit of fresh lemon and Parm. So good.

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  10. I've recently become a HUGE fan of kale. It's delicious and so good for you. :)

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  11. This looks so good! I've never really tried kale, but I know its packed with nutrients!

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  12. Looks yummy! We are really loving kale in our house. We saute it quite often, similar to spinach.

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  13. I love kale, but I never prepare it well! I'll definitely be trying this.

    Kari
    http://ryanandkari.com

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  14. Completely healthy and delicious.

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  15. I love kale. I seriously eat it everyday! Your salad looks divine. Alot of times for lunch I sautee it with olive oil and balasmic vinegar it so good.

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  16. That looks fabulous! I love kale. :-)

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  17. This looks AMAZING. I've really come around to kale.. so good!

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