Krispy Kale Kapers
Yes, I know, awful headline.
Anyhooo, at least I'm on-trend* with the kale although, to be honest, this works just as well with a lovely Savoy cabbage or Spring Greens. But we're swimming in kale around here and the gorgeous green stuff needs to be used up before it bolts off to Brixton!
We planted a couple of varieties of kale in our community planters and they've been flourishing and giving of their best all through the winter months. I've even got some new eager seedlings ready for planting now and if the wind dies down a bit I may nip out and plant some this morning at coffee time. All go in the garden this time of year.
KALE IN OUR COMMUNITY PLANTERS
But this easy peasy way to use up kale and fill your boots with all its goodness will be one you (and your family) munch as you watch tv, if it lasts that long. Ladies & gl'men I give you....
Crispy Kale Seaweed
Eh? you say, what's she on about? Well you know that crispy seaweed you love to nibble on at your local chinese restaurant while you wait for your mains to arrive? That's simply lovely shredded cabbage, fried and seasoned and that's what you're about to make here. Hardly a need for a recipe, just a few 'how to' photos might suffice. But here goes with the words:
Pick a couple of kale leaves, wash them and dry them well.
Cut out the tough central stalk. Roll the leaf up tightly into a cigar shape and finely slice/shred the roll (about 3 mms slices). Shake out the shredded leaves.
Heat light vegetable oil in a pan, about 8-10 mms deep and when a shred of kale sizzles when dipped in, add a small handful of shredded kale.
Fry for 2-3 mins, stirring once or twice, lift out the kale shaking off excess and drain on a paper towel on a plate (you can do all the frying in a deep fat fryer if you have one).
Repeat till all the kale is fried. Season with salt, pepper and chilli flakes (I had some Japanese chilli seasoning too).
Eat as a snack or better yet, scatter it over a fried egg (we did that, yum).
*when I say 'on-trend' obviously that was last year, dahlings, when it was planted, kale is sooo 2014 (not sure what's 2015 trend... probably find out next year!)