Braised Kale with Apples and Carrots: A Simple Way to Celebrate Fall Produce!

As a lover of greens, I could not let National Kale Day pass without celebration! This is one of my favorite greens to enjoy, and I incorporate it in my Autumn Harvest Skillet and recipes like the Massaged Kale Salad in my Glorious Greens for Great Health Workshop!

Kale is a nutrient-dense cruciferous leafy green belonging to the Brassicaceae family which is available in many varieties. Kale has an earthy, somewhat bitter flavor. Varieties of kale include curly forms, which come in green and purple varieties as well as a flat dinosaur kale also known as Lacinato or Tuscan kale. Red Russian Kale has flat, fringed leaves with a red tinge and stems with a reddish-purple tinge. It has a great flavor that is described as sweet and mild with a bit of pepper flavor. Redbor Kale is a beautiful dark reddish-purple color and is often used as an ornamental variety, although it is edible.

As one of the most nutrient-rich foods, kale contains many vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Research has identified almost 50 different flavonoids in kale including kaempferol and quercetin which have crucial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Kaempferol has been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 40% as well as reduce the risk of lung cancer. Kale also contains the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein which protect the eyes from UV-light induced damage.

Along with collard greens, conventionally-grown kale has been shown to have high levels of organophosphate insecticides which are toxic to the nervous system. Therefore, it is important to choose organically-grown kale whenever possible.

Besides the always popular kale chips, one of my favorite seasonal ways to enjoy kale is braised with apples and carrots. This gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free recipe is allergy-friendly and adaptable for vegan and paleo diets. This simple dish makes a great gluten-free vegan side to any meal, a lovely base for poached eggs or a meatless Monday meal with some lentils stirred in!

The simple preparation allows the real-food flavors of these fall favorites to shine! This recipe is always one of the favorites of my fall Recharge Experience participants, proving cleansing and rebalancing the body with real food can be delicious!

What is your favorite variety of kale? How are you celebrating National Kale Day?

Find this and 20+ new recipes featuring fall produce in my Fall Action Plan Festive Cookbook, the perfect fall companion for allergy-friendly, balanced, healthy recipe ideas that are easy to prepare and everyone will enjoy! Start planning your healthy Thanksgiving, family gathering or fall gameday party today with these delicious ideas plus a BONUS e-cookbook with over 50 delicious healthy recipes for any season!

For more inspiration for enjoying kale and other greens, check out my Glorious Greens for Great Health Workshop and my Pinterest collections! And be sure to join us for the upcoming Fun & Festive Holiday Challenge, a virtual group program done from anywhere in the world to support you in rebalancing and cleansing with real food and building healthy habits! 

I am so excited for the upcoming Fun & Festive Holiday Challenge! We have a great group ready to go and still have a few spots remaining for you to join us!

If you enjoy this Simple | Pure | WholeTM recipe and want more allergy-friendly healthy options, check out my Glorious Greens for Great Health virtual workshop and cookbook, the Recharge Experience and these free Simple | Pure | WholeTM recipes! If you have not already joined, I would love to have you as part of my free Insider’s Community where you will receive wellness resources, news and opportunities along with a special free gift! Get your FREE Chapters from The Whole Cure and purchase your copy of the paperback or Kindle edition today on Amazon!

 

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This post was shared with: Pin Worthy Wednesday, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, Allergy-Free Wednesday, Create It Thursday, Full Plate Thursday, Crafty & Delicious Party, Healthy Living Link Party, Plant-Based Potluck, Gluten-Free Fridays, Family Fun Friday, Friday’s Five Features, Weekend Retreat, Real Food Fridays, Savoring Saturdays, Meatless Mondays, Tuesday’s Table, Tip Tuesday, Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop, Create & Share DIY Party, Gluten-Free Recipe Fix