Kale...As You Like It

This blog has suddenly taken on more importance for me, as I've just accepted a wonderful job. Thrilled about it, and will share details as soon as I can. However, it's a huge pay cut. Worth it, but not worth sacrificing my or my family's health. So now I'll be increasingly searching for ways to make a vegetarian diet tasty, interesting, and frugal.

So let's talk about kale. Yes, I know, you've heard enough about this superfood. But it really is so versatile.

Just tonight I made kale chips!

Kale Chips

Preheat oven to 275.
Tear off pieces of kale. Any kind works, but curly or dinosaur kale works better than flat.
Toss in a bowl with olive oil and salt.
Spread out in a single layer, if possible.
Stir from time to time, until crispy.
Try to catch before they brown.
Also delicious sprinkled with nutritional yeast afterwards.

One of my very, very favorite salads is the Raw Deal from Wheatsville. I know, I know. You don't have Wheatsville in your town. So stop in next time you're in Austin. In the meantime, this recipe is pretty close, just use kale instead of the chard. And I would cut the salt a bit: The Raw Deal Salad

While I'm not an advocate of extreme cleanses, I have found that green lemonade in the morning makes me feel great, especially if I have been indulging (vegan doughnuts are still doughnuts).

Green lemonade

In a high power blender, blend one peeled lemon, an apple, a handful of lettuce, a handful of kale, and a thin slice of ginger. If you don't like the texture, you can strain it. But if it's pulverized enough, it drinks like a thin smoothie. I use a Vitamix, which a very generous and lovely aunt gave me as a gift.

The easiest way to eat kale: Sauteed kale with garlic. You don't need a recipe for this, it's self-explanatory.

As for the economics of it, I bought two big bunches for $3, and it has lasted me a week

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that will take you to Amazon, and if you choose to purchase items, I will receive a small (very small) amount of commission on your purchase. The price is exactly the same for you.

Plant a garden

In this post, I will give you no information about how to actually plant a garden, just tell you to do it. Because that's how I did it. I bought several $1 little plants from outside of Wheatsville, and planted them in our front bed. It was mostly just supposed to be a nature lesson for Atticus.

Whether it is the rich soil, the reused dishwater I use to water them, or just dumb luck, I now have a HUGE tomato plant, and a respectable bell pepper plant.

For $1, I now have more local, organic, vine-ripened tomatoes than I can eat. I literally give them away to my parents, neighbors, and even strangers who stop to peruse our Free Little Library. 

They are best raw, with some basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Maybe mozzarella if I'm feeling extravagant. However, there are other wonderful options for a bumper crop of tomatoes.

Today, I made a very simple gazpacho.

Gazpacho (a cold, tomato soup)

4 small tomatoes

2 small bell peppers

A handful of basil leaves

Kosher salt and ground pepper to taste

Throw everything in the blender with a cup of water. You might have to add more water as you blend, to achieve the texture you want. I like to throw in a couple ice cubes, since gazpacho is a cold soup.

Other ideas: slice and put on pizza, simmer down into a pasta sauce, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES!

As an amateur gardener, I have to say that there is something very satisfying about watching your plants flourish and produce so much beautiful fruit. I highly recommend it. Give it a try, it might be worth your $1 investment :)

This guy thinks so...