This recipe is an amazing way to sneak in a lot of kale without having picky eaters complain! I was so pleasantly surprised at how the kale blended away among the spices and was not even noticeable. Kale is so good for you and I am always interested in new ways to incorporate it in a meal. In this case, it gets completely lost in all the other flavors of the dish. I love that the spice blend in this recipe is incredibly simple, yet it tastes even better than the (not-so-healthy) packets of taco seasoning from the store. Overall, it is not very spicy but it does have a little kick. If you want more spice, increase the amount of cayenne pepper to taste.
I served this kale, beef, and bean mixture on a bed of crisp greens for me and in small tortillas for my husband. I was curious to see how he would react to the kale being cooked into the mixture, but he did not even mention it and told me the dish was awesome! Win!
Did I mention this easily came together in well under 30 minutes? It is a great choice for a homemade meal on a busy weeknight. I have a feeling we will be enjoying this dish again soon!
I used lean, organic ground beef in this recipe, but I actually originally intended to use ground turkey. After reading this report (and several others) regarding the disgusting addition found in over 90% of ground turkey in the U.S., I am so hesitant to buy ground turkey now. Does this news enrage anyone else, or is it just me? I hate not knowing what goes into the food we put into our bodies. Anyway, perhaps organic, local, grass-fed beef is the way to go…at least for now.
You MUST try this recipe and let me know what you think. I have a feeling your whole family will enjoy it!!
Healthy Kale Taco Filling
Ingredients:
- 1.25 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2-3 cups of chopped kale
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I only used 1/4 tsp)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
1). Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ground beef. Stir until cooked through. Add the diced red pepper.
2). Add the kale and mix together well until wilted. Add the spices and the black beans. Stir occasionally until heated through.
3). Remove from heat and serve in tortillas or on a bed of salad. Enjoy!
Servings: 6. Nutritional Information per 1/6 serving: Calories: 247 Fat: 8g Carbs: 17g Protein: 25g Fiber: 6g Sugar: 2g
WW+: 6 Old points: 5
Recipe adapted from http://greenlitebites.com/2012/10/11/kale-turkey-black-bean-taco-filling/
Audrey's Apron 