Kale is like Marmite. No, it doesn’t taste like a thick, tangy syrup, but instead divides the nation into two categories: love it or hate it. Or for some, ‘what the hell is it?’

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For those who aren’t too sure, kale is a super food. There are lots of great kale recipes; you can bake it, steam it, stir fry it or even boil it. It adds texture, colour and flavour to a dish. Packed full of vitamins and nutrients, it’s no wonder it’s loved by so many chefs, foodies and home cooks. Currently in season, pop to any local food market or supermarket and you can no doubt pick up a large bunch for a reasonable price.

Headlines have called it the ‘superfood of the season’, health gurus love it, but just what exactly can you do it with it? A lot in fact. Here’s five simple, but very different ways you can cook with kale this season.

1. The Light Lunch: Orzo with Kale and Chorizo

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Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 onion, chopped
120g diced chorizo
50g pine nuts
250g mushrooms, sliced
250g cherry tomatoes, halved
400g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
200g pack shredded kale
150g orzo pasta

Method:
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion,chorizo and pine nuts for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms, tomatoes and beans and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the kale in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, drain and add to the pan.
Cook the orzo pasta in boiling water for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, drain and add to the kale mixture. Season to taste.

Cost per serving: £1.56

Cook’s tip: Try using any shape pasta that you have in the cupboard or remove the chorizo for a vegetarian option.

2. The Healthy Burger: Tuna and Kale Burgers

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Prep: 20 minutes plus chilling
Cook: 10 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients
500g Maris Piper potatoes, cut into chunks
2 x 200g cans tuna in spring water, drained
2 tbsp tartare sauce
2 tbsp plain flour
150g shredded kale
2 tbsp rapeseed oil

Method
Cook the potatoes in boiling water for 10-15 minutes until tender, drain and roughly mash. Gently mix in the tuna, tartare sauce and flour.
Meanwhile, steam the kale for 4 minutes and roughly chop. Stir into the potato mixture and season. Mould into 8 burgers and chill for 15 minutes.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the burgers in 2 batches for 1-2 minutes each side until golden.  Serve with a fresh green salad and roasted cherry tomatoes.

Cost per serving: £1.10

Cook’s tip: Try using canned salmon instead of tuna or adding herbs to the mix.

3. The Superfood Smoothie: Kale, Oat & Banana 

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Prep: 5 minutes
Serves 1

1 ripe banana, sliced (100g)
250ml almond milk
2 tbsp oats (15g)
1 tbsp maple syrup
50g shredded Kale

Method
Place all the ingredients in a liquidizer and pulse until smooth, pour into a glass and serve.

Cook’s tip: Try using oat milk or normal milk instead of the almond milk.

4. The Alternative Snack: Kale Crisps

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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15-20 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients
200g bag shredded kale
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
Salt and pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 200oC, gas mark 6.
Toss the kale with oil, season with salt and pepper.  Spread out onto 2 large baking trays and bake for 15-20 minutes, swapping the trays over half way through, until crispy.

Cost per serving: £0.22p

Cook’s tip: Try using flavoured seasonings such as Cajun or Jerk

5. The Spicy Supper: Thai Turkey with Kale

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Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 onion, chopped
50g Thai green curry paste
500g pack diced turkey breast
1 red pepper, diced
400ml can reduced fat coconut milk
200ml chicken stock
200g pack shredded kale
2 tsp Thai fish sauce
28g pack coriander, chopped

Method
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion for 2-3 minutes, add the curry paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add the turkey and pepper and fry for 5 minutes.
Stir in the coconut milk, stock and kale. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.  Stir in the fish sauce and coriander and serve with cooked rice or noodles.

Cost per serving: £1.82

Cook’s tip: You could use leftover turkey or chicken for this dish.

Recipes and images thanks to Discover Kale. For more information on kale as well as recipes and tips please visit: www.discoverkale.co.uk or follow them on Twitter: @discoverkale