Getting Your Greens

Tasty Ways to Prepare Good-for-You Greens

-- By Liza Barnes, Health Educator

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Kale is versatile and its mild flavor goes well in soups and hearty stews. Just rip the leaves away from the stems, tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces, and toss them into the stew when there is five minutes of cooking time left. Steamed kale can be eaten as a side vegetable. To steam, rip the leaves away and discard the stalks. Steam leaves for 4 to 5 minutes until tender. Drizzle with a scant amount of toasted sesame oil and soy sauce. Try these kale recipes:

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About The Author

Liza Barnes
Liza has two bachelor's degrees: one in health promotion and education and a second in nursing. A registered nurse and mother, regular exercise and cooking are top priorities for her. See all of Liza's articles.

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Member Comments

ENCHANTEDBROOM

I grew up in the South. All the greens mentioned in the article are my favs. They were a staple in my family's garden and I grow them in the spring, fall and winter. I also set aside a few plants just to produce seeds for the next growing season. I prefer to eat them raw are lightly steamed. A greens and fresh basil leaf salad is hard to beat anytime of the year. - 9/28/2012 7:12:02 PM
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KGWINDER

I recently at a u-pick farm got cauliflower. Instead of throwing away the leaves, I used them like kale - rolling them up, slicing thinly and then placing in lemon juice to break down the fibers. So excellent and completely free food. - 7/19/2012 9:51:50 PM
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LORAINE1210

Afresh new look at greens - 7/19/2012 4:19:36 AM
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SOOKIE

I enjoyed this article and will pick up some greens for sunday dinner. The greens I enjoy most are kale and collards.

One of my fav recipes I found on spark is Collards cooked in the slow cooker. These were definately a keeper and they don't turn out wilted of nutrients.

http://recipes.
sparkpeople.c
om/recipe-det
ail.asp?recipe=446375 - 7/21/2011 11:09:29 AM
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PURPLERULES

Kale chips are the best! - 1/16/2011 12:18:51 AM
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BWILBUR25

I think the trick to eating greens and LOVING them is to get very fresh greens. The longer they sit they "self-destruct" and lose their complex sweet/savory flavors. If the greens are more then 4 days old, they start to taste bitter (to me).

I am lucky to be a veggie farmer, so i have tasted the freshest greens and they are light years better then greens I have kept in the my fridge for a week. Please, if you think you don't like greens just give them one more chance. Go to a farmers market, buy a mild green like Swiss chard and cook it the day you buy it. - 1/10/2011 2:13:52 PM
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SUNRISEANNIE1

Kale is my favorite. I always have it in my garden, it reseeds itself if you leave a plant or to to over winter and flower and set seeds the next year. - 11/8/2010 5:50:47 PM
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GENEALOGYANGEL

Love, love, love greens!!! There is life and nutrition in them!!! This summer I have been growing Swiss chard in two pots on my deck. Yesterday I stir-fried some chopped leaves and stems and then beat an egg and poured it on top, along with a little shredded cheese, to make an omelet. YUM! Tonight I had stir-fried bok choy with some garlic, onion, mushrooms, yellow peppers, tomatoes, and beans - a great vegetarian entree. - 8/19/2010 9:18:26 PM
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LOSER531

Kale is wonderful. I like to make a salad from the leaves and then I cut off the little budding leaves that are left on the stalk to put in soup. Combine that in with a few other chopped veggies, add a chopped/ground meat of your choice, throw in some rice (maybe some beans), and let it stew. It's cheap and super tasty!

By the way, kale turns bluish when it's cooked. Pretty cool stuff. - 8/19/2010 2:24:22 PM
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HAPPYLADYNOW

Absolutely love spinach and kale! - 8/19/2010 10:21:31 AM
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ANU_20

That was very informative! Thanks a lot! - 8/16/2010 12:14:45 AM
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NACNIC2

What is the best way to freeze spinach? - 8/6/2010 3:05:45 AM
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LBAILEY38

I love spinach and kale. Kale is so easy to grow and has a long growing season. Thanks for the recipes. - 4/1/2010 9:40:29 AM
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HOPIEPOPIE

I love love love greens. Kale is definitely my favorite. I usually make it in a pan with some sweet potato slices and chicken drummettes that have been cooking for 10-15 minutes in some olive oil and garlic, then toss in the kale leaves. I let them really cook down so that they absorb that oil and garlic for maybe 20-25 minutes. Delicious! - 1/3/2010 6:46:32 PM
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SILVARBELLE

Does it make a difference if using frozen instead of fresh? It's easier and cheaper for me to purchase frozen, rather than fresh. I don't like eating greens, but I know I have to in order to improve my health. I have bags of mixed greens, green beans, and broccoli in the freezer. Here's hoping I can use the interesting recipes! - 1/3/2010 3:08:33 PM
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