Kale

I think when people find out I am a gluten free vegan they assume I eat tofu but I do not. I really do not like tofu at all. I don't really do any soy substitutes for anything, but I do eat edamame, which is another word for soy beans (fun fact that I did not know until after being a gluten free vegan for two years).

Anyway, here is a photo I took of kale this morning:

When I first decided to try the gluten free vegan thing I figured I needed to try two new vegetables or fruits a week to stay "into" it. Kale was the first thing I tried. I really hated it in the beginning because I didn't know how to cook it or prepare it! Well I do now. It's taken some time. The main thing is- AVOID STEMS. Stems taste like sour poison. 

Kale is grayish green when raw. If you are going to eat it raw, start with baby kale. Still, avoid stems! 

When kale is steamed, it turns the above color of bright beautiful green. It is very satisfying to steam kale! But plain kale is still gross, in my opinion. When steamed and then stewed with other ingredients, kale turn a dark forest green. Yum. So good. You cannot over-cook kale. In my opinion, the more it's stewed or simmered, the better it tastes. I'll be posting my favorite kale recipes soon! YUM. This morning I made Indian Kale, but another favorite is Kale in Spicy Peanut Sauce. OH- AND VEGAN GUMBO! Oh it is so good. I'll have to make it again soon to take pics!

I tried kale first because it's one of those "things" healthy internet sites say you should eat. Well, some nutritionist people say romaine lettuce is just as healthy. So, I don't go nut eating kale, but, I do try to eat it twice a month.