Food Bloggers Los Angeles Celebrate Kale-a-Palooza!

by Dorothy Reinhold on January 26, 2013


Print This Post Print This Post Food Bloggers L.A. Celebrate Kale-a-Palooza

Kale is still king — still trendy, still among the healthiest plants on the planet, and its 15 minutes of fame is now stretching on to 4 or 5 years, with no signs of stopping.

Food Bloggers Los Angeles proved the green is also still as delicious as ever, as they threw a shindig called Kale-a-Palooza, a celebration of all things kale-tastic.

This potluck palooza was a doozy, with every manner of dish that highlighted the beauty and nutritional power of kale. Check out what kale-rific recipes these talented food bloggers made, shown below. In addition to the kale kreations mentioned in this story, FBLA members linked up their other amazing kale recipes in the photo collection at the bottom. Pick something to try in your own kitchen!

Appetizers and Drinks

Hamachi Tartare on Fried Kale from Rustic Garden BistroKim Burnell of Rustic Garden Bistro brought Hamachi Tartare with Yuzu and Blood Orange on Fried Garden Kale (aka “How to Use Kale without Making a Salad.”) I called it “I’m eating three of these before you even notice!”

Kale and Garlic Hummus from Eating RulesAndrew Wilder of Eating Rules brought Kale and Garlic Hummus. That’s a little smoked paprika decorating the top.

Kale Margaritas from Cut `n Clean GreensChef Garrett Nishimori of Cut `n Clean Greens brought Kale Margarita Smoothies! Very green, very good, and either high octane (tequila) or virgin (coconut water).

Vegan Bo La Lot from Recipe RenovatorStephanie Weaver of Recipe Renovator brought a grilled Vietnamese appetizer called Vegan Bo La Lot — lacinato kale leaves stuffed with seasoned textured vegetable protein, nicely grilled.

Breads

Spiced Kale Current Muffins from Cooking on the WeekendsValentina Wein of Cooking On The Weekends brought Spiced Kale Currant Muffins. (Any day with kale for breakfast is going to be a good day.)

Kale Mushroom Flatbread from 2 Broads AbroadJudy Lyness of 2 Broads Abroad brought Kale Mushroom Flatbread. She also shot a funny little video of moi showing how to quickly strip the leaves off lacinato kale!

Salads

Kale-a-Palooza Salad from Shockingly DeliciousI (Shockingly Delicious) brought Kale-a-Palooza Salad with Garbanzos, Persimmons, Tuna and Tomatoes. I can attest that teenagers like this, as well, since my daughter and her friend completely scarfed the leftovers when I got home.

Apple Raisin Slaw with Beet Greens from Lentil BreakdownAdair Seldon of Lentil Breakdown brought Apple Raisin Slaw with Beet Greens (She says, “It’s really just my Apple Raisin Slaw adapted to meet the kale requirements of this particular palooza”).

Double Kale Pesto Pasta Salad from Adventures with Nancy RoseNancy Rose Eisman of Adventures with Nancy Rose brought Double Kale Pesto Pasta Salad. 

The Misfit Kale Salad from The UnprocessTina Ferris of the unprocess brought The Misfit Kale Salad, her interpretation of one served at a restaurant in Santa Monica.

Cooked Dishes

California Colcannon from In Erika's KitchenErika Kerekes of In Erika’s Kitchen brought the inventive California Colcannon — Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage, Kale and Carrots.

Green Eggs and Ham Pizza from She's CookinPriscilla Willis (our gracious hostess) of She’s Cookin made the amusing Green Eggs & Ham Pizza.

AOC's Cavolo Nero from the L.A. Times' Daily DishRene Lynch of the L.A. Times’ Daily Dish brought AOC’s Cavolo Nero (black kale)..

Grilled Kale and Pancetta Risotto from Kitchy CookingJennifer Richmond of Kitchy Cooking brought the comforting Grilled Kale and Pancetta Risotto.

Braised Kale with Cannellini from Bumbleberry BreezeJudy Weintraub of Bumbleberry Breeze brought Braised Kale with Cannellini Beans.

Peanut Soba Noodles with Kale and Edamame from Little Ferraro KitchenSamantha Ferraro of The Little Ferraro Kitchen brought Peanut Soba Noodles with Kale and Edamame.

Skinny Kale and Bacon Mac n Cheese from Adventures in the KitchenCheri Liefeld of Adventures In The Kitchen brought Skinny Kale and Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese.

Yam and Kale Gratin from Fresh Food in a FlashPatricia Rose of Fresh Food in a Flash brought Yam and Swiss Chard or Kale Gratin.

Caramelized Onion and Kale Frittata from Baking and Cake ArtSusan Holtz of Baking and Cake Art departed from sweets and brought a Caramelized Onion and Kale Frittata.

Dessert (yes, dessert!)

Kale Brownies from Jolly TomatoJeanne Fratello of the Jolly Tomato brought Kale Brownies. Oh yeah, she went there! And if she hadn’t confessed to the kale inside, we wouldn’t have known!

Meyer Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts from Black Girl Chef's WhitesCheryl D. Lee of Black Girl Chef’s Whites gave us a break from the greens with her Meyer Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts.

Chef Garrett Nishimori of Cut `n Clean GreensWe were also treated to a demonstration from Chef Garrett Nishimori (he of the Kale Margaritas), who showed us how to massage our kale into submission and make a raw kale salad. His company, Cut `n Clean Greens, grows and packages kale for distribution to the whole country, from their Oxnard-area farmland. Once again, California is feeding the country!


{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Mojtaba February 12, 2013 at 12:54 am

I’ve made them and like them. I also like kale in salad. Tear it into small pieces. Knead kohesr salt, olive oil and lemon juice into the kale. Add chopped red peppers, tomatoes, whatever. You’ll like it!

Reply

Tori @ The Shiksa in the Kitchen January 31, 2013 at 4:56 pm

Would have loved to join you guys! Looking forward to seeing everybody in February.

Reply

Dorothy February 1, 2013 at 8:28 am

Tori,
We missed you and look forward to seeing you in Feb for soups and stews!

Reply

Jeanne @JollyTomato January 28, 2013 at 9:39 pm

Greg’s right – that was a heckuva palooza! With all of those tempting dishes, I would be happy eating kale all day, every day. Thanks for coordinating, Dorothy!

Reply

Dorothy January 28, 2013 at 9:43 pm

Jeanne,
It was my pleasure to help out! I love enabling kale addiction.

Reply

Garrett Nishimori January 28, 2013 at 12:56 pm

So much fun! Thanks to everyone for inspiring dishes and thanks to kale for bringing everyone together.

Reply

Valentina January 28, 2013 at 12:15 pm

That was a fun (& delicious) meeting! Thank you for putting this together – as always! I’m all linked up. 😉

Reply

Dorothy January 28, 2013 at 12:20 pm

Valentina,
You are welcome, and it WAS a fun meeting! Amazing how excited food nerds can get about kale!

Reply

sippitysup January 28, 2013 at 9:26 am

Wowza. That was a heck of a palooza! Sorry I missed it. GREG

Reply

Dorothy January 28, 2013 at 11:16 am

Greg,
We missed you, too! Come to the February meeting.

Reply

Leave a Comment

{ 2 trackbacks }

Previous post:

Next post: