Kale: It's not just for garnish.
If you are anything like me, you found kale to be utterly boring and unpalatable until you really began cooking with it. After some experience with the leafy green, your cooking horizons broadened to the extent that kale became incorporated into just about everything you prepared. You realized there are many options for kale that don't involve a lifeless leaf laying next to the burger on your plate. So many, in fact, that you could just go ahead and write a whole cookbook about it!
And that's precisely what I did! I'm thrilled to announce my second cookbook, Let Them Eat Kale!
, has been published! If you missed it, you can read about my first cookbook, Delicious Probiotic Drinks, in my Grapefruit Rosemary Kombucha post.
In order to kick off the release, I'm sharing my kale hummus recipe, straight from the book. And what cookbook release would be complete without an exciting giveaway? I'll tell you all about the giveaway later, but first: the book.
Let Them Eat Kale! includes tips on the various methods of cooking with kale, nutritional information, and 75 recipes to welcome kale into your daily eats. While kale may be intimidating to some, I assure you the recipes are as simple as they are healthful. This isn't just-another-kale-salad kind of book. It's a helpful resource for getting kale in your belly in the most tasty and inviting ways.
Of all the topics one can write a cookbook about, why kale?
What's the Deal with Kale?
To the merriment of some and the dismay of others, kale is one of the biggest food trends right now. Salads made with kale instead of lettuce are popping up on restaurant menus, and everyone seems to be juicing it, blending it, massaging it, and using it as a baby name. While I understand that kale has its place and that place is not necessarily in your batch of banana bread, there are substantial reasons why kale is so popular.
Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods in the world. It contains a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is low in calories, boosts immunity, and helps fight disease. Kale is a part of the cruciferous vegetable family (Brassicaceae), which also includes cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Although cruciferous vegetables can be difficult for some people to process, they are full of fiber and can help maintain regularity in your digestive system.
Just one cup of chopped kale earns you 684% of your daily value of Vitamin K, 206% of Vitamin A, and 134% of Vitamin C. It also contains beta-carotene and antioxidants. All of these factors contribute to kale's ability to help keep your immune system strong and prevent disease.
Embracing Kale
While kale has the reputation of being fibrous and bitter, it can be easily incorporated into your everyday cooking. All it takes is some getting used to, and then it becomes second nature to add the leafy green to your recipes for an extra vitamin boost. You can serve it up in your entrees, soups, or salads, or hide it in your smoothies, sauces, and even your desserts.
Take this Roasted Garlic Kale Hummus, for instance. Blending kale into your favorite hummus recipe is a great way of adding more nutrients to the snack. Can you taste the kale? Yes, but it isn't overpowering or unpleasant -- it's actually a great hummus! Enjoy the kale hummus as a snack with crackers and fresh vegetables or use it in your sandwiches and wraps!
Who This Book is For
Let Them Eat Kale! is a great book for the health-conscious individual or for those who are looking to become more in tune with their nutrition. It contains meat recipes as well as vegetarian and vegan recipes, and the whole book is gluten-free with the exception of a burger bun here or there. From the kale newbie to the seasoned kale connoisseur, the book has recipes that anyone can enjoy -- with or without kale! For the person who is looking to add more nutrition to his or her repertoire or the person who maintains a high-nutrient diet, this book is perfect. I even encourage kale naysayers to take a peek, as there are so many ways kale can be added to your food while keeping its palatability.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 cloves garlic
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup tahini
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- Olive oil for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Wrap the cloves of garlic in foil and place in the oven until soft, 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow garlic to cool. Peel off the papery skin and add the cloves to a blender or food processor along with the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth. Note: You can leave small bits of kale leaves in the hummus, if desired, or blend until completely smooth.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil, if desired. Serve with veggies, crackers or pita bread, or smear it on your favorite sandwich or wrap.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
Disclosure: The links to Amazon in this post are affiliate links. Go buy Julia's book!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
This may be about the only way I can sneak kale in my diet. 😉 The fact Trader Joe's has had a serious hummus issue for 2 months has sent me scrambling for alternatives.
Julia says
Ah yes, you really must try it!! Plus, I always feel like homemade hummus is better than store-bought...dunno what it is, but I always end up liking it better. Let me know if you try the hummus!!
Emma says
Gutted that this one's US only! Sounds like a fantastic book. I'm a huge kale lover- well, who isn't these days?
Those tees are great too!
Thanks for the hummus recipe 🙂
Julia says
Hey Emma! I'm so glad you're interested in kale! My publisher does ship overseas and actually, the books arrive pretty quickly! I have a blogger in the UK and one in Australia doing reviews on the book and they got their copies right around the same time my U.S. bloggers did, ha! Shoot me an email at roastedrootfood (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll make sure you get a copy 😀
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
If you fancy your chances at winning a copy, there will be an international giveaway of the book up on my blog in the next few days 🙂
sue/the view from great island says
Congratulations on your book! I am your perfect customer...I eat really well, love my veggies, but have been a closet kale-avoider for years. I need to step up to the plate and eat more kale! We are on the same green hummus page today 🙂
Julia says
Thanks so much, Sue!!! I think the book is right up your alley, since I see all sorts of veggie dishes on your site. The cool thing about the book is you can easily amp up the portion of kale you put into each recipe or scale it way back in order to ease yourself into it. Have a happy 4th!!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
yum I love kale! I've never thought of putting it in hummus. Pinned!
Julia says
Thanks for sharing Deborah! Kale's great in hummus - hope you try it!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
This book is just what I need to EAT MORE KALE. I love kale! Thank you for your inspiration, and congratulations on your new book! I'm looking forward to reading it!
Julia says
Thank you so much, Traci! I appreciate the support and am so glad you're a fellow kale lover! Have a great weekend, my dear!
Robyn B | Modern Day Missus says
Oh, I LOVE kale. It is so versatile, and so easy to grow at home. I might just have to invest in this book....
Julia says
Haha! Thanks, Robyn! I'm not growing a garden this year, but kale is by far one of my favorite veggies to grow - I love that I was always able to get at least 3 harvests during the summer and the fact that it shoots up so quickly. It's so gratifying to walk out to your garden in the morning, slice off some kale leaves and chop them up for your scrambled eggs. Hope you enjoy the book!! xoxo
Millie | Add A Little says
mmm! I love the look of this Julia! Definitey pinned!
Julia says
Thanks so much, Mille!
Amala says
US only! 🙁 I assume the book is also available in Canada?
Julia says
Hi Amala,
The giveaway is for U.S. residents only, but you can get the book in Canada, too! Amazon will ship to Canada (if I'm not mistaken, it isn't very expensive), and there may even be a few bookstores there that carry the book 🙂 Thank you so much for your interest!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Congrats again on your book being published! That is big accomplishment. I am lovin' this hummus recipe. I like using hummus for the 'goo' in my sandwiches. This is a nicely flavored version.
Julia says
Aww thanks so much, Carol!!! I'm so happy it's out and about! 🙂 I love using hummus as my goo, too, ha! I'm not big on mayo, so I love using hummus to keep things moist and flavorful. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Bri | Bites of Bri says
I LOVE Kale! I'm glad that kale became popular because that was when I tried it for the first time. Now, I'm an addict! Beautiful cover photo!
Julia says
Yaaaay Bri! So happy you're a kale lover! Let's put our minds together and figure out how to make everyone else in the world a kale addict! 🙂
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
Ooo this looks fabulous! Kale hummus?! Who'd of thought!? 🙂
Julia says
IIIII know, crazy, huh?! Kale can go in allll the nooks and crannies!
Joanne says
Kale and I are besties. And hummus and I are besties. So this hummus in my belly is a love triangle of the best possible kind.
Zita says
Hi Julia, I am just so amazed by this book that I have recommended it on my blog:
http://www.yummymummydiy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/look-what-i-have-found.html.
Congratulations!
Allison says
Congrats Julia! Such a delicious, gorgeous, inventive, mouthwatering, and important cookbook you've created. We all need more kale in our lives and thank you for being the kale slingin' leader. You go girl!
Abby says
As if "hummus" wasn't enough, you had me at "seven cloves of garlic."
Ania says
This looks amazing. Never tried kale hummus dip before. 🙂
Claudia says
Amazon UK sell your book
Stephanie says
How long does this recipe store in the fridge? I'm the only one in the house that eats hummus!!
Dana Raidt says
Hi Stephanie, since we didn't develop the recipe we can't be 100% sure, but I would guess about 2 to 3 days. If you keep a layer of saran wrap under the lid of whatever container you use, you may get another day. Hope that helps!
Esther says
Love it! Kids gave it an 10 out of 10, so that say's it all. Love roasted garlic instead of raw. Thanks.
Bay Girl says
Use an ice cube tray, and spoon the hummus in the cubes. Freeze. Move to a zip lock bag. Keeps for months this way....if you don't eat it all way before then.
I added roasted red pepper to this, and some lemon zest too. Healthy YES.
Shannon P. says
Looks delicious - can't wait to try this! Also, can you tell me where you got those amazing - looking crackers??
Vic says
These are Mary's Gone crackers. You can find them at Target, Sprouts, Whole foods...
Connie says
We love hummus and I make it a lot. NEVER thought of putting a little kale in there. Love that color! This will be my hummus recipe from now on! 🙂