Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Celebrating the Healthy Way

Mindy here. Hope you all had a marvelous Memorial Day weekend. Ours was quiet, uneventful. Of course, I smoked the slab o' meat Sunday, but was still at a loss for sides. Since I'm enjoying much success with my return to Weight Watchers, I didn't want to splurge too much. I needed at least one healthy, satisfying side. And, thanks to the Food Network, I found it.

I don't know about y'all, but lately I seem to be hearing more about kale than ever. Like it's the latest craze. But when I saw this recipe for Kale Slaw, I knew I had to try it.

Here's what you'll need:
  • l head kale, stems removed and thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 1/2 an orange, juiced
  • 1/2 a lemon, juiced
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
  •  1 slice bacon, cooked crisp and chopped (since I don't dare have real bacon in the house, I used a heaping tablespoon of bacon bits)
  • 1 rounded Tbsp. mayonnaise
Place the kale into a salad bowl. Toss with carrot, orange juice, lemon juice, and salt. Using your hands, rub the acid into the kale. Basically, pretend you're giving it a massage.

Set kale aside.

Prepare a large bowl of ice water and a saucepan with boiling water.
Place the sliced  onion into the boiling water for 15-30 seconds. Remove and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. This removes the bitter taste of the raw onion.




Drain the water and blot the onions with a paper towel.

Add the onion, bacon, olive oil, salt, and pepper to kale and toss well.

Add the mayonnaise and mix the slaw well.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made several hours in advance.


This was so yummy, y'all. Though the next time, I think I'll add the juice of the entire orange. That citrusy flavor lends just enough sweetness to make it addicting.

I know Missy posted a recipe for kale chips not long ago, but have do you use much kale in your cooking? Or is it one of those greens you've avoided, uncertain what to do with it, like I was? Maybe kale is a staple for you. How do you like your kale?

9 comments:

  1. I love trying new things.... but I haven't tried kale! I must do this, Mindy, and between the chips (Missy) and this slaw I think the two of you have conspired to break me out of my shell! This looks delicious!

    And it's a four-day-work week so how could I not embrace just about ANYTHING TODAY?????

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    1. Yes, Ruthy, Missy and I have weekly meetings and plot how to break you out of that stuck-in-the-mud shell.

      LOL! Four day work week, yes, but I hate Monday on Tuesday. Messes me up everytime. That's why I'm so late checking in today. Forgot it was Tuesday.

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  2. Oh, I can't wait to try this, Mindy!! I LOVE kale. It's become something I buy weekly now. I use it in omelets, in salads, and saute it with garlic and olive oil.

    And now I'll use it for slaw! :)

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    1. Missy, sauteing it with garlic and olive oil sounds yummy. I'll have to try that next.

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  3. What a neat tip about the onion...I've never heard that before. And I like kale...think I have a mean roasted potato and kale or is it sweet potato and kale side dish? I'll have to check. Really yummy. I'll definitely give this a try...maybe this weekend after I hit the grocery store. I've planted kale in my garden too, but it's too eensy to nibble on yet, though the bunnies never got that memo! Grrr.

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    1. Kav, I knew this recipe would be right up your alley. Funny about the rabbits. Not really. I know it's frustrating. Good thing they're so cute.

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  4. I LOVE kale! Every time I run across a new way to use it, it just gets better. This recipe is definitely going on next week's menu.

    My favorite way to use it is in a soup that mimics Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. You chop it small (think large parsley flakes) and then add it to the soup about 10 minutes before serving. Mmmmm.

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    1. You know, Jan, I think we're just going to have to have kale week here at the YB. Everyone can share their best kale recipes. Of course, I just shared my ONLY kale recipe. Hmm..

      Can you believe we're all getting so excited over something green that doesn't have sugar? Wow. Miracles never cease:-)

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    2. Kale doesn't have sugar?

      The next thing we know you'll tell us it doesn't have chocolate, either!

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