Saturday, May 8, 2010

Collard Wrap Directions and Why I Use Them


I mentioned earlier this week that I like to use collards in place of flat bread when I want something portable to eat. I started using collards when we cut back on our flour consumption. But now I actually prefer them to bread. There are few reasons for this which I want to highlight:

1. Calorie difference: 1 collard leaf has less than 5 calories versus 100 calories for the average whole wheat flat bread.  I think all these little savings add up and make a difference over the long run.

2. Nutrition difference: collards are rich in vitamin A, folate, calcium and potassium and bread isn’t.

3. Texture: Collards don’t get soggy if you make them ahead of time and pack them to eat later.

4. Price: A bunch of organic collards with approximately 16 leaves (or wraps) was less than $2.00. You are not going to find 16 organic whole wheat flat breads for that price.

While I started using collards as a way to avoid flour there are many more benefits to using them as a flat bread replacement. I would continue to use collards as a bread replacement even if I weren’t trying to avoid flour.


I wanted to provide a few pictures of the specific techniques I use to make a collard wrap. I mentioned that you needed to cut down the stem but I wanted to give more instructions on that and provide a picture. I lay the raw collard leaf on the cutting board with the underside of the leaf facing up. Use a sharp thin knife and lay it flat and shave the stem. The end result is pictured above. I find it is easier to make a few passes and shave the stem down a little at a time.


Once the stem has been cut down it is time to fill the wrap. You can use anything you like for the inside. On this particular wrap I used super flavorful fat free hummus, healthy caponata and a tablespoon of almond feta (no oil version)


Now it is time to roll the wrap up. Fold up the leafy part of the wrap to keep the filling from sliding out the end while you are trying to eat it.


Next roll the wrap like a burrito.  If desired you can cut off the top if it isn’t filled to the end. I don’t do this if I am packing them to travel.  If you are planning to take this with you wrap it up in waxed paper or aluminum foil. Collard wraps travel well since they don’t get soggy. 

That is all there is making collard wraps. They are just as versatile as flat bread filled wraps and much better for you.

Unrelated note:

My sweetie is downtown at his office today. He and Walid worked until almost 11pm last night and are back at the office today. Since I am home alone I decided to make a day of it and spend some time relaxing. There will definitely be a long soak in a hot tub probably with a book. Maybe even a glass of medicinal vino. But before I relax I need to cross some items off my to do list.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. The weather is gorgeous here, sunny and upper 70’s. Sounds like a perfect day to me. Talk to you soon.

18 comments:

  1. Very practical tips. Another way for us to get our greens! Looks good.

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  2. Blessed Mama,

    Thanks! :-) I thought pictures might be necessary for this process. I really like using collards this way.

    talk to you later,
    Alicia

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  3. Are the collards raw or do you blanch them?

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  4. Tracie,

    Great question I should have been more specific. The leaves are raw. The green is lighter in most of the pics because you are seeing the underside of the leaf.

    Alicia

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  5. So you already know I haven't tried collards. I have always been worried about greens and bitterness. How do they stack up to kale? Hope you're having a great day!

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  6. Heather,

    Raw collards have a reasonably mild flavor. I would say they are slightly bitter, but much less so than kale or even arugula. We really like them.

    I hope you are having a good Saturday too!
    Alicia

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  7. I seriously need to find me sime organic collard leaves!
    This town is gonna be the death of me for sure. The only organics I can find usually is traditional things like lettuce and potatoes... I should open a health food store.
    I loved the wraps and I could almost tste them through your pictures! Very excellent.

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  8. Brandi,

    Can you plant collards this year? That could be an easy answer

    You may be onto something with a health food store. You should look into it.

    I am glad you like the idea of this. It is one of my favorite quick and portable foods.

    Alicia.

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  9. Ok, so this looks really delicious...I think the whole wheat flat bread producers might form a union against you...this could catch on...LOL :)

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  10. Rose,

    This is my favorite use for collards. I think even John might like this. ;-) If you try it please let me know what you think.

    Alicia

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  11. This is absolutely the perfect portable lunch and would be great for a picnic!

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  12. Janet,

    Thanks! That is exactly how I use them. A Mother's Day picnic could be nice if the weather is cooperating. Although these are good when you are craving a sandwich and don't want the bread.

    Happy Mother's Day! I hope you are having a good one.

    Alicia

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  13. Oooo this looks delicious! This is my first time visiting and I am sending my mom over to your site. She has also had a cancer diagnosis and I TRY to explain the importance of altering her diet but she just doesn't get it! Hopefully you will inspire her more than I have!

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  14. Erin,

    I hope you like these I have become sort of addicted to them. Please do send your mom over. If she has any questions I am happy to help. If she prefers to email here is my address: veganepicurean@gmail.com

    Nutrition and cancer is something I research weekly and usually daily. If there has been a book recently written on the subject or including it there is a good chance I have read it.

    thanks again,
    Alicia

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  15. I love using giant leaves of swiss chard or cabbage as "wraps" for all kinds of foods: dal, tofu, whatevs. I'll have to add collard to my repertoire!

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  16. Monica,

    I have used Swiss Chard this way but not Cabbage. Thanks for the idea. I will give that a try soon. :-)

    Alicia

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  17. Alicia, you inspired me to try collard wraps today and they turned out pretty well! I spread them with refried beans (fat free) and added good salsa, onion, and avocado, plus a few crumbled baked tortilla chips for a bit of crunch. Pretty good! I'll roll more tightly next time.

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  18. Cindy,

    Glad you tried them and liked them. Thanks for letting me know. I was surprised when I liked them too, LOL. It takes a few times to get the hang of rolling them. They can be tricky to keep tightly rolled since they want to unroll.

    Alicia

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