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Baby kale is simply the term for the delicate leaves of a young, immature kale plant. Almost any kale variety can be harvested at this young stage when the leaves are more mild and tender, though still hardier than most lettuce varieties. Both the petite stems and leaves of Baby kale are edible, with a chewy yet succulent texture and a slightly peppery flavor, similar to arugula.
Baby kale is available year-round.
Baby kale is a member of the Mustard or Cabbage family, and is a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”. Still relatively new so the commercial market, Baby kale is starting to show up more often in fresh salad mixes with other greens, such as baby chard, arugula, spinach, and red or green lettuce.
Baby kale is known to be a nutritional powerhouse and is rich in calcium and iron as well as vitamins A, C and K1. In order to be absorbed in the body vitamin K1 requires fats so be sure to prepare baby kale with a healthy oil or avocado to take full advantage of the nutritional properties. Additionally, Baby kale can help lower cholesterol levels in the body by biding bile acids. Cruciferous vegetables such as baby kale also contain oxalates which are known to interfere with absorption of potassium and calcium, however oxalates are not heat-stable, longer cooking times can decrease their presence.
Baby kale is most often used raw, as its leaves are tender enough to be enjoyed fresh, yet its texture is still sturdy enough to stand up well in cooking. Baby kale can add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, or it can be juiced, wilted, fried, dehydrated, or sautéed. Try topping a flatbread or pizza with Baby kale, or incorporate it into braising greens to add a nutty yet sweet flavor. Baby kale can even be used in lieu of spinach in baked preparations like quiche, lasagna, and enchiladas. Complimentary ingredients include garlic, ginger, fennel, sage, onion, apple, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, robust cheeses, pork, chicken, and white beans. To store Baby kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
In some Northwestern German towns, it is customary to hold a kale tour each January, where you visit a country inn and eat your fair share of kale and sausage, and even crown a local celebrity as "kale king".
Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, and it has been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Baby kale thrives in the fall and spring months, but can be grown year-round. Like mature kale plants, Baby kale can handle cold temperatures, and a good fall frost or cool winter will impart a higher sugar content and result in a better flavor in the plant.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 79...
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is easiest, three is harder.
| Food Buzz: History of Kale |
Description/Taste
Baby kale is simply the term for the delicate leaves of a young, immature kale plant. Almost any kale variety can be harvested at this young stage when the leaves are more mild and tender, though still hardier than most lettuce varieties. Both the petite stems and leaves of Baby kale are edible, with a chewy yet succulent texture and a slightly peppery flavor, similar to arugula.
Seasons/Availability
Baby kale is available year-round.
Current Facts
Baby kale is a member of the Mustard or Cabbage family, and is a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”. Still relatively new so the commercial market, Baby kale is starting to show up more often in fresh salad mixes with other greens, such as baby chard, arugula, spinach, and red or green lettuce.
Nutritional Value
Baby kale is known to be a nutritional powerhouse and is rich in calcium and iron as well as vitamins A, C and K1. In order to be absorbed in the body vitamin K1 requires fats so be sure to prepare baby kale with a healthy oil or avocado to take full advantage of the nutritional properties. Additionally, Baby kale can help lower cholesterol levels in the body by biding bile acids. Cruciferous vegetables such as baby kale also contain oxalates which are known to interfere with absorption of potassium and calcium, however oxalates are not heat-stable, longer cooking times can decrease their presence.
Applications
Baby kale is most often used raw, as its leaves are tender enough to be enjoyed fresh, yet its texture is still sturdy enough to stand up well in cooking. Baby kale can add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, or it can be juiced, wilted, fried, dehydrated, or sautéed. Try topping a flatbread or pizza with Baby kale, or incorporate it into braising greens to add a nutty yet sweet flavor. Baby kale can even be used in lieu of spinach in baked preparations like quiche, lasagna, and enchiladas. Complimentary ingredients include garlic, ginger, fennel, sage, onion, apple, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, robust cheeses, pork, chicken, and white beans. To store Baby kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In some Northwestern German towns, it is customary to hold a kale tour each January, where you visit a country inn and eat your fair share of kale and sausage, and even crown a local celebrity as "kale king".
Geography/History
Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, and it has been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Baby kale thrives in the fall and spring months, but can be grown year-round. Like mature kale plants, Baby kale can handle cold temperatures, and a good fall frost or cool winter will impart a higher sugar content and result in a better flavor in the plant.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Don Pietro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7205 |
| Fish Market Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-232-3474 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Healthy Creations-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-479-0500 |
| Marriott Marquis North Tower | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Madam Bonnies | San Diego CA | 619-432-1383 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-431-5323 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619-295-7275 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse 2020 | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Boss Bird Kitchen | La Mesa CA | 858-566-9191 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Marriott Courtyard Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-260-8500 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-777-0700 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-670-5807 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| The Pizza Guys | Vista CA | 760-529-7873 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
| The Monsaraz | San Diego CA | 858-760-6228 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar | Oceanside CA | 442-266-2781 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Wonderland Ocean Pub | San Diego CA | 619-255-3358 |
| Tender Greens-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-226-6254 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Village Vino | San Diego CA | 619-546-8466 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| Tender Greens-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-455-9395 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Cucina Sorella | San Diego CA | 858-232-7808 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Nectarine Grove Bakehouse | Del Mar CA | 858-925-7357 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Sundeck | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Pendry SD (Pool House) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Paleo Gluten Free Eats |
|
Kale Pesto |
