Celebrate National Kale Day with 5 Kale-centric Recipes!
People have been cultivating kale for over two millennia!
This vibrant, cruciferous (the same family as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage!) veggie has an abundance of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, in addition to enormously high levels of vitamins. A single cup of kale has over 200% the recommended daily amount of vitamin A, over 600% the RDA of vitamin K, and over 100% the RDA for vitamin C! A cup also has 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber and very little fat—the majority of the fat in kale is omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to the brain.
For some, kale may not be the most palatable leaf on its own, but you can tame its bitterness by choosing smaller Tuscan (or dinosaur!) kale leaves + including them in smoothies, juices, and salads or transforming them into crunchy chips!
Cacao Kale Smoothie
Gather This:
- 8 ounces canned coconut milk, refrigerated for 30 min prior
- handful fresh mint leaves
- 1 drop peppermint extract
- 1 tablespoon Green Dream Coconut Butter
- 1 tablespoon Green Dream Superfood + Protein Blend
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs + extra for garnish
- 1/2 cup spinach or kale
- 2 frozen bananas
Do This:
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Pour into your favorite glass, garnish with cacao nibs, and ENJOY!
Quinoa Kale Salad
Gather This:
- 2 cups of cooked tricolor quinoa
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ red onion
- 2 cups of kale, washed, ribbed, and chopped
- ¼ cup of pine nuts
- juice of 1 medium lime
- 1 roasted or boiled sweet potato, peeled and diced
- ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- ¼ teaspoon pink peppercorns
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
Do This:
Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add kale, stirring until wilted and just tender (but still bright green) about 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt + pepper and stir. Add sweet potatoes, kale and onion mixture and lime juice to cooked quinoa. Fluff with a fork to combine.
Garnish with chopped pine nuts and pomegranate seeds and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
Power Green Dream Smoothie
Gather This:
- 1 handful kale
- 2 handfuls spinach
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 cup blueberries or strawberries
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tablespoon Green Dream Superfood + Protein Blend
- 1 cup almond milk, rice milk, oat milk or water
- pinch of Himalayan pink sea salt
Do This:
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Pour into your favorite glass, garnish with golden berries + goji berries, and ENJOY!
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Cheesy Kale Chips
Gather This:
- 1 large bunch of kale
- 1 cup cashews (soaked 2 hours)
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Green Bee Manuka Honey
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon Green Dream Superfood + Protein Blend
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
Do This:
Rinse the kale and spin dry. Remove the stems and tear into bite size pieces. Let the kale air out as much as possible before coating. Blend the ingredients for the cheesy seasoning in the blender until smooth. Transfer kale and seasoning to a large bowl and mix well, using your hands to ensure the leaves are well coated. Spread kale leaves out on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until leaves are crisp when shaken in pan.
DIY Kale Juice in a Blender
Gather This:
- 1 bunch of organic kale, stems removed and leaves washed
- 1 green apple, juiced
- the juice of 2 small lemons
- 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of agave nectar (optional)
- 1/2 cup cold, filtered water
Do This:
Combine everything in a blender and blend until completely pureed. It might take a little bit of time and manpower to get it going. Strain the juice through a fine sieve or colander into a bowl, pushing down on the solids with a kitchen spoon being sure to extract all the juice. Taste the juice and add a bit more lemon or agave if you think it needs it. Pour into a glass and drink up!
