A few days ago, I had the great experience of participating the National Kale Day Kale Health Summit in my first-ever Google Hangout on Air, along with the co-founders of National Kale Day, Dr. Drew Ramsey and Chef Jennifer Iserloh, as well as other kale-lovers involved in health and fitness.  I learned a lot about kale and enjoyed the chance to network with a diverse bunch of passionate people who believe that good health begins with good nutrition.

I also had fun in my exam room.  Scroll to 33:17 to see what went on behind my closed exam room door.

Finally, the idea behind this National Kale Day celebration was to promote health through nutrition, and to petition for official recognition of this day. So if you get a chance, please sign the petition at NationalKaleDay.org and make this a reality!

*  *  *

Coda

Later that day, I gave a nutrition lecture and all-kale cooking class at the Foster City Library.  I had a blast creating kale converts out of my 40+ audience of the kale-intrigued who helped me prepare kale smoothies, kale hummus, kale pesto, Joe Yonan’s spicy kale salad with miso-mushroom omelet and yes, a kale dessert.  I adapted the chocolate chip kale cookies recipe from 50 Shades of Kale and baked it into a cake. Intrigued? Skeptical? Just try it.

Chocolate Chip Kale Cake

Makes 1 8-inch square cake, 16 servings

Ingredients

1 cup packed kale leaves

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 eggs

1 tablespoon molasses

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup white whole wheat flour

½ cup old fashioned oats

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ tsp salt

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Technique

1. Place kale in a food processor and process until shredded finely, but not pureed.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
3. Grease and flour an 8 inch square baking pan.
4. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
5. Add eggs, and beat until combined.
6. Add vanilla and molasses, and continue to mix until combined.
7. Add in kale, flour, oats, baking powder and salt.  Stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.
8. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.  Cool before serving.  Cut into 16 squares.

Nutrition Info: 143 calories, 1g protein, 19g carbohydrates, 7g fat, 0.5g fiber, 55 mg sodium

If you’re looking for more kale recipes, try these earlier recipes on SpiceboxTravels:

Kale Chips

Party in Your Mouth Kale Salad

Check back later for more of the recipes from my All-Kale Cooking Class (Kooking Klass?)!

And if you have any favorite kale recipes to share, please feel free to link in the comments!