3 to 5 minutes.
Steamed Kale Cover and boil the water until steam is formed. Steam until the leaves are tender and slightly wilted, 3 to 5 minutes depending on the type of kale.
How long does it take for kale to soften?
Store massaged kale in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. You can skip massaging if you are using the kale in a salad with an acidic dressing. Just let the salad sit for a half hour or more before eating so the kale has time to soften.
How do you tenderize tough kale?
Massaging it with a little oil or salt helps break down the tough leaves, but it’s also a lot of effort. Fortunately, there’s a hands-off alternative: Giving it a hot bath.
Is kale supposed to be tough?
Regardless of variety, raw kale is kind of tough, which is why we love cooking it—it holds its own and maintains integrity even in long-cooked soups, stews, and braises. But we also love eating it raw in salads, which is where that massaging process comes in.
Is it possible to overcook kale?
Hailed as the new superfood, kale has six times more calcium than broccoli and spinach, high levels of antioxidants, and vitamins A, C and K. Only one problem: overcook it and it’s like having your throat slimed with extremely bitter microwaved seaweed.
Why is my kale so chewy?
Everybody’s favorite leafy green vegetable can be a bit of a tough customer: One of the things that makes kale good for you—all that fiber—is the very reason it can be chewy and dense. Cooked, that’s no problem, but the raw-kale salad is a particularly hazardous form.
How do you eat tough kale?
If you love salads, but find kale too dry, Topol suggests massaging the chopped kale with your hands to help the tough leaves relax. “Massage chopped kale with a little olive oil and pinch of salt before adding other veggies or grains [in order] to tenderize the leaves,” Topol says.
How do you refresh limp kale?
Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut their stems at an angle, about an inch from the bottom. Then pop them in a glass of water, put them back in the fridge, and they’ll be just like new in a few hours!
Does massaging kale make it tender?
Massaging kale for salad makes the vegetable more palatable by releasing its bitter compounds and—as a result—making the kale less bitter. This simple process breaks down the vegetable’s fibrous texture, making it more tender, easier to chew, and more digestible.
When should you not use kale?
Signs that your kale is no longer safe to eat include:
- Black specks on the foliage.
- Black, white, or rust-colored spots, which may signal a fungal infection.
- Wilted, soggy, and/or slimy texture.
- An unpleasant, sulfur-like smell.
How do you know when kale is ready to eat?
You’ll know when it’s ready when it’s about 12 inches tall and the leaves are the size of your hand or bigger. Leaves that are the size of your palm are younger and more tender whereas the bigger leaves will be older and a bit tougher. Rest assured, both are delicious.
Is there a downside to kale?
Kale can be difficult to digest when eaten raw, which may occasionally lead to bloating and stomach upsets. There’s also that bitter taste to contend with, of course.
Should you wash kale?
Swish the leaves in the water to remove dirt as needed. A large bowl usually does the trick, but you can also clean your sink and plug it, fill it with water, and submerge the kale. Drain the dirty water and rinse the greens to prep a large amount of clean kale.
Is kale still healthy when cooked?
Kale is a nutrient-dense food that’s high in several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While cooking kale makes it less bitter, it also significantly reduces its antioxidant, vitamin C, and mineral content.
Is it OK to put raw kale in a smoothie?
One cup of raw kale contains even more vitamin C than an orange! You can eat kale raw in a smoothie (no need to cook it first). The raw kale flavor is strong on its own, but the other ingredients mellow it.
What does massaging kale do?
The point of massaging is to infuse the kale with the lemon juice and oil, and also to break down some of the tough, fibrous characteristics of kale. This makes it easier to chew and digest, and makes for a more tender salad. Season with salt, massage/toss once more, then set aside.
Can you eat kale raw?
Kale is a dark, leafy green you can eat raw or cooked. This superfood has been on dinner plates since Roman times and has long been common across much of Europe. The vegetable hails from the cabbage family, which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, and collards.
What’s the tastiest way to eat kale?
Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Kale
- With Your Favorite Noodles – soba, fettuccine or rice noodles. Add chopped kale when pasta is about 5 minutes from being done.
- Quickie Kale Salad.
- Sweet and Irresistable.
- One-Pot Meal.
- Steamed and Tangy.
- Stir-Fry.
- A Tasty Substitute.
- Veggie Saute.
Should you massage kale before cooking?
You can massage kale to diminish its bitterness by removing the stalks, chopping the kale, and then using your hands to squeeze and pinch it.
Do you eat kale stems?
You might not want to toss kale stems right into your salad bowl, but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong. Add more heft to your lunch by slicing the stems thinly—or even shaving them on a mandoline. Toss them in after massaging the greens for a crisp, fresh crunch.
Is kale better for you cooked or raw?
“Cancer studies seem to show that raw kale is more beneficial than cooked, while cholesterol studies seem to show that steamed kale is more beneficial than raw,” says Harris, who recommends a bit of both in your diet.