Kale in green smoothies

[u1107]

Will I grow to like it? I'm still new to raw. I love spinach in my green smoothies and that's what I've used to date. Today I tried kale. It was, well, different. Not entirely bad, but not awful. Felt bad about throwing it out and still hungry, so I drank it. But now I have all this kale!!! Is this common? Will I grow to like it? It's supposed to be so good for you, I guess I'll probably try again.

[Revvell]

There are at least 7 different types of kale. You may not ever like the one you have but you might like a different one. Why not use less or, mix it with spinach or something more tasty to you? OR, add a sweetener. Not knowing what you don't like about it it's hard to suggest what to do about it.

What you COULD do with the rest of the kale ~ depending on what kind it is ~ is make kale chips. I don't know too many who don't like kale chips. Or, a salad...

[u1107]

THanks, Revvell - I didn't realize there were different kinds of kale. BTW, how do I make kale chips? I don't have a dehydrator but I have a toaser oven with a warm setting - could I use that with the door open? Is that what kale chips are? Thanks!

[tamaraw]

The first green smoothie I tried was with Kale and I didn't have any problems with it, I actually loved the taste. Maybe its a different type, and like they mentioned you should probably try different ones until you find one you like.

:)

[Blazin'Jane]

In general, a lot of the growth that coems in RAW living is in the trying and adapting to new things. Try 'em all! I use all sorts of greens in my smoothies, not because I'm crazy about them all, but because they all have differing gifts to my system. I end up liking them because I know they're good for me.

[poleidopy]

I was going to suggest everything revvell suggested, LOL! I didn't like the last kind of kale I tried and I normally like kale in smoothies. When I first switched from using only spinach, I had to use less kale until I got used to the taste/texture.

[veganman]

Hi U1107 -

you might want to try just the leaves and see how that is. Maybe add more fruit.

[RawKnitster]

You could start slow by adding one or two kale leaves to your spinach smoothie. I've salvaged many bitter smoothies with a sprinkle of stevia and a few frozen strawberries.

[DebB]

I've drank many a green smoothie, but I always add spinach in with kale. I typically add 1/2 a bunch of the dark greens (kale, chard, collards) and then the rest of my green comes from spinach and Spring salad mix from Costco.

If it's the green curly kale - I have a great recipe for a massaged kale salad that is soooo good. If that's the kale you have and would like to try it, let me know. *Ü*

[OnMyJourney]

I love kale in my green smoothies! Initially, I didn't include the stalks, as they tend to be a bit bitter. They don't bother me at all now though. I also find that a very ripe banana helped to balance out any bitterness, my 11 year old loves kale for this reason.

You'll find over time your taste buds will change, at least mine have. But as Revvell says, you may never like it...who can know? But don't give up just yet.

[terry brown]

In the beginning I added some lemon. Now the taste is fine to me!

[Lunar*Fey]

what else did you put in the smoothie? You may want to try it with different fruits and possibly try adding more fruit than greens to start out.
Ripe bananas with kale is pretty good. Pears and kale, green apples and kale, apples and kale....I have had and love all those combinations. :) You can also add berries (fresh or frozen) and sometimes that helps if you get too much kale flavor and don't like it. It's all about experimenting i guess!
good luck :)

[snoops]

try-

kale
strawberries
goji berries
cocoa nibs
honey
cayenne
water

You hardly taste the kale and you can load up the blender with it!!

[DopeRawAbundance]

Hey if I can drink Celery Arugula Sprout Kelp juice, then you can drink a Kale Banana smoothie. :cool:

[Tirza]

Kale seems to go very nicely with pears.

Victoria Boutenko published a list of the kinds of fruits and green that go well together. Sometimes it's just a little synchronization with the right ingredients....

[Amarynth]

I love kale in green smoothies. I use 2 bananas, some mango or strawberry and water. I tend not to use the stems...actually I wasn't even certain if they should be eaten so I always ripped the leaves off. I agree with everyone else...try different types of kale, fruit, etc and see what tempts you best. :)

[u1107]

I tried kale, banana and strawberry. Not my favorite. I did put the stems in, though, maybe that was the problem. Thanks so much for all of the suggestions and, DebB, I would love the massaged kale recipe, too!

Thanks!

[DebB]

This is the recipe that I make, you can see it here on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlpy2RcsOtc&feature=PlayList&p=967FCCD10EFDB684&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34)

Here's the written recipe: I love it with green onions, tomatoes and kalamata olives (the ones I use aren't raw). I crave this salad.

Sweet ‘n’ Succulent Kale and Avocado Salad

This salad is based on a recipe taught to me by top raw food chef and friend Chad Sarno. This is one of Chad’s all time favourite raw recipes and it’s also one of mine too. The beauty of this meal is that it’s delicious, filling and extremely nutritious – one of the best ways to get healthy greens and fats into your body in a way that feels good and looks good too. This is one of the most popular recipes at all of my classes, and the great thing is, all you need to make it is a good sharp knife!

* 8 generous handfuls of green curly kale
* Sprinkle of Celtic sea salt OR Himalayan crystal salt
* 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil
* 1 ripe avocado
* 2 large tomatoes OR a handful of cherry or baby plum tomatoes
OPTIONAL: 2 spring onions
OPTIONAL: 8 sundried tomatoes in oil
DRESSING: *Squeeze of fresh lemon juice to taste (*Deb 1 T)

(raisins and/or sunflower seeds / pine nuts - all are wonderful additions)
1) Chop the kale up into tiny pieces measuring roughly 1-2cm square and put into a bowl. (Deb - use thinnest FP blade)
2) Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil plus a small sprinkling of your chosen salt to the kale and massage well into the leaves until they are glistening and look succulent. If they need more oil, add accordingly.
3) Chop up 1 avocado into small pieces, add to the kale and massage in well, coating the leaves. It is fine to leave pieces of avocado sitting amongst the leaves as well as coating them.
4) Chop tomatoes into small pieces and add to bowl. Similarly, finely slice the optional spring onions and sundried tomatoes – both of which I personally love.
5) Mix all ingredients well by hand – a very tactile and delicious experience! Make sure that all ingredients are spread evenly through out the bowl.
6) Sprinkle with some fresh lemon juice and serve as is or pile high on to a plate and garnish with tomatoes or olives.
* RAW CHEF’S TOP TIP: By adding the oil and salt to the leaves the kale releases some of its moisture thereby making it much juicier in both taste and appearance. This treatment of kale makes it much more
delicious and palatable, making all the difference for many people who ordinarily don’t like kale as is.

Karen Knowler - raw food coach

[u1107]

Wow - sounds great - can't wait to try, thanks!!

[DebB]

You're welcome - I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I never would have thought one could eat raw kale. I'd never had it raw before eating this way. *Ü*

[Basenjimamma]

I love Kale in my smoothies, but I only add a handful, with banana, usually blueberries, raspberries and sometimes some orange or pineapple..it is sweet, smooth and delicious.
If I make it with spinach it is a huge hit with my kiddos, but my 9 yr old daughter loves it with kale as well..I am the only one doing raw in my household..so far