Monika Blogwell

On the latest episode of the now-canceled TBS show My Boys, P.J., the main character, introduces her guy friends to a farmers’ market in an effort to help them meet “normal women.” She points out a potential suitor to her friend, Mike: “That woman right there, she’s buying kale. That means she’s health conscious and she can cook.”

I love kale for many reasons. It’s a versatile vegetable that’s good for you and makes you look good at the same time. So as a tribute to My Boys, and to prove that anyone can cook with kale, I’m posting another recipe today (it’s been a while).

The recipe is adapted from New Vegetarian by Celia Brooks Brown, which is the same cookbook where I also got this recipe.

Pad Thai with Kale

3 tbs peanut oil
4 eggs lightly beaten
8 oz dried thick rice noodles, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained
1 bunch curly kale, central core removed and leaves coarsely chopped
1/4 cup tamarind paste or 2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup chili sauce (I like rooster sauce)
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1 cup freshly grated carrot
1 cup bean sprouts
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

To serve:
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (a coffee grinder is great for this)
4 scallions, finely sliced
cilantro

Heat a wok until very hot, then add a tablespoon of the oil. Add the eggs and make a very thin omelet. When cooked through, remove omelet from wok, set aside and let cool. Once cooled, roll omelet and cut into thin strips.

Mix together the lime juice, soy sauce and chili sauce in a separate bowl.

Add the remaining oil to the wok and mix in the kale. Sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add the sauce, carrots and bell pepper. Saute for 2-4 minutes more. Stir in the bean sprouts, egg strips and noodles. When heated thoroughly, serve sprinkled with peanuts, scallions and cilantro. Enjoy!

Cook’s Note: It’s best to make the noodles when the vegetables are cooking so that they do not get cold and start to stick together. Sometimes I like to add a tablespoon or so of ketchup to the sauce if it’s too sour. This recipe is also great with tofu, but I didn’t have any on hand.

Writer’s Disclaimer: Kale may or may not be a great way to find a date. Results not typical.