11 Ways To Use Kale That You Haven't Thought Of Yet

Just when you thought you had tried every kale recipe imaginable, from kale chips flavored with almond butter to the kale twist on a Caesar salad, think again. The Daily Meal has rounded up 11 unexpected and enjoyable ways to incorporate kale into your diet this fall.

While many different varieties of kale exist, our favorites for fall cooking are lacinato (best for raw salads), Scotch curled (perfect for braising), and napus (great for salads or sautéing). This hearty green, packed with Vitamin A, K and plenty of folic acid, can be enjoyed raw, braised, steamed, sautéed, and even fried.

To remove that sometimes bitter taste that accompanies our favorite dark green vegetable, blanch the cleaned, stemmed kale in a pot of salted, boiling water for about 10 to 15 seconds. Next, submerge the greens in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking for roughly 30 seconds. Finally, thoroughly dry the greens in a salad spinner or on paper towels before frying, braising, or chopping for a salad.

Whether you are looking for a variation on your favorite kale-packed green juice, a healthy breakfast hash, or new horizons to explore with hummus, there are plenty of creative ways to incorporate this vitamin-rich green into your favorite snacks and meals.

A simple, light appetizer of toasted garlic bread topped with kale. Use crusty Italian bread, which is strong enough to hold the stewed greens. — Chef Alessandro Gargani

For the Bruschetta with Kale recipe, click here.

While breakfast hashes are typically chock-full of greasy bacon or sausage and potatoes, I love making hashes using leaner chorizos, such as ground turkey or chicken chorizo. Replacing russet potatoes with yams or sweet potatoes and adding kale makes this breakfast a healthier alternative to your typical hash. You can also use this hash to make breakfast burritos and tacos, or an omelet.  — Julia Mueller

For the Chorizo, Potato, and Kale Hash recipe, click here.

Looking for a healthy bar to eat on the go? These crispy kale bars are loaded with nutritious nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

For the Crispy Kale Bars recipe, click here.

Add flavor and texture to classic potato salad with healthy kale and sweet apples for fall.

For the Kale and Apple Potato Salad recipe, click here.

Try this unusual twist on a vegetarian burrito that pairs hearty kale and briny feta for a delicious meal.

For the Kale and Feta Burrito recipe, click here.

This delicious take on a classic pizza ditches the tomatoes for hearty, healthy kale.

For the Kale and Onion Pizza recipe, click here.

This sweet and sour drink is a fun and creative way to get a full serving of healthy kale.

For the Kale Lemonade recipe, click here.

Use kale in place of the usual basil in this pesto recipe, perfect tossed with pasta or drizzled on top of roasted fall vegetables.

For the Kale Pesto recipe, click here.

This variation on the classic Waldorf salad uses kale instead of lettuce and adds apple and walnuts to the dressing for a creamy consistency without using the typical mayonnaise base. — Whole Foods Market

For the Kale Waldorf Salad recipe, click here.

Not only is kale a superfood, packed with antioxidants, including 206 percent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A, but it also tastes great and can be used in just about any recipe you can dream up, like this lemony weeknight pasta. — Feed Me Dearly

For the Lemony Kale Spaghetti recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a creative way to use super-nutritious kale, try making a hummus-style dip out of it. It's beautifully bright green and loaded with garlic and tahini flavor. — Let Them Eat Kale Cookbook

For the Roasted Garlic and Kale Hummus recipe, click here.