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    Kale: 16 ways to plate a nutritional powerhouse

    By | Shine Food – Tue, Oct 14, 2008 4:44 PM EDT

    Kale is included again and again on lists of super foods, and for good reason: It's a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamin C, vitamin E (an antioxidant), calcium, and even a few cancer-fighting compounds. In a happy twist of fate, it also happens to be one of our favorite fall treats. Oh, the possibilities...

    For more on kale, see our visual guide to cooking greens.

    Tips:

    Try Dinosaur Kale

    Tuscan kale, also known as cavolo nero or lacinato kale and often marketed as dinosaur kale, is especially laborious to trim and clean, but worth seeking out for its distinctive flavor.

    Soak, Shake, Store

    To perk up limp leaves, trim the base of their stems and soak the kale for a few minutes in tepid water. Shake dry and store as suggested below.

    Store Properly

    Store kale in an airtight cointainer in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Cook the vegetable within three or four days.

    Recipes:

    Soups

    Chestnut and Kale Soup

    Kale and Chickpea Soup

    Tuscan Kale Soup with Chorizo

    Lentil, Kale, and Sausage Soup

    Kale Loves Bacon

    Kale, Butternut Squash, and Pancetta Pie

    Kale with Garlic and Bacon

    Braised Tuscan Kale with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions

    Frittata with Bacon, Fresh Ricotta, and Greens

    Meatless Masterpieces

    Lacinato Kale and Leek Flan

    Cornmeal and Kale Spoon Bread with Red Peppers

    Kale with Sauteed Apple and Onion

    Vegetable Casserole with Tofu Topping

    Hearty Main Dishes

    Fettuccine with Sausage and Kale

    Kale and Mushrooms with Creamy Polenta

    Risotto with Tuscan Kale and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

    Spicy Kale and Chick-Pea Stew

    Click here for many more recipes



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