Gai lan is a leafy green from the same family as kale. It has dark green leaves, slender stalks, and small white flowers near the stem. It closely resembles flowering broccoli and has a slightly bitter taste. Peel off thick outer leaves before eating. It can be used in stir-fry and stands up to hearty meats like pork. It is available year-round from different countries seasonally, including Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.