We’re growing kale in our garden for the first time this year, and it is thriving. I think it must be about the easiest food to grow because we have been inundated with kale. I’m not complaining, but I really didn’t expect so much kale. At this point I’m pretty much considering all of the kale that gets picked to be free. I feel like we’ve already more than recouped our investment of seeds and soil. I’ve also been trying to find new ways to use kale. Last weekend I decided to make Spinach Alfredo for dinner. I don’t follow an exact recipe; it’s usually something I make when I realize we have milk and/or cream that needs to be used up. We didn’t have spinach, so I decided to substitute kale for the spinach. I tore the kale into very small pieces, and then cooked everything exactly the way I would have with spinach.
It was delicious! Kale Alfredo doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as Spinach Alfredo, but I thought it was every bit as good. Nick said he prefers it with the kale. It’s definitely going to be a repeat for us since we have an almost unlimited supply of kale right now, and even when the garden is finished for the year, kale is typically cheaper in the stores than spinach.
I know it’s a really, really small thing, but I see it as a step in the right direction.
So what about you? Have you made any thrifty recipe substitutions lately? Would you try Kale Alfredo?
Your kale alfredo sounds delicious, and I am sooo jealous because I can't grow kale to save my life. I think it's just too hot and dry here for it to thrive. Mine always gets infested with aphids - like one day it's fine and the next it just looks like a moving mass of gray bugs. EEEEWWW! This year, my bumper crop is cucumbers! So I've been having cucumber salad every single day! Usually my bumper crop is zucchini - which isn't doing very well this year. I'm hoping it picks up because you can literally add zucchini to anything!
ReplyDeleteYour kale alfredo sounds delicious and I would definitely try it. I no longer have a garden so I would have to buy mine from the store.
ReplyDeleteWell done! Sometimes a great discovery comes from such substitutions.
ReplyDeleteI have to stay away from these greens, because they help to produce kidney stones...that is the only good thing to come from kidney stones.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever had kale once. It was in an omlet. I really enjoyed it though, so I'd be willing to try Kale Alfredo.
ReplyDeleteThat Kale Alfredo does look good. I have to admit, I haven't done much with kale. Sometimes get it in a salad mix, but that's about all. Maybe I'll have to be a bit more adventurous down the road :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right, every little bit helps in the saving of money. It is true to try not to go to the store for only one item, you usually come out with so much more and often without the one item you go in for.
betty
I have steamed kale and then stir fried it. Did other stuff, and my husband hates kale no matter what.
ReplyDeleteGood to know on kale! I might have to try growing it next year :) Kale alfredo sounds good to me! I actually have some kale in the fridge so hmmm...
ReplyDeleteI've really struggled on kale and haven't bonded wtih it. But I love alfredo so maybe that's the secret! I'll have to consider this one!
ReplyDeleteHAHA...KALE anything...NOPE! I had a really bad experience with KALE once and I can't make myself enjoy it even though since then I have had a pretty good kale salad and tasty kale chips.....BUT I just can't get past the time the Bare Food Farmer introduced me to raw kale...YUCK
ReplyDeleteI still haven't tried kale. You're going to find some creative uses for it, I'm sure.
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