(See above) I am also going to try Nozlee's method. Place the kale in a large container where you'll be able to toss the leaves easily. How to Make Kale Salad. Take a picture of it and share it on Instagram and tag it #slowburningpassion. This 5-ingredient vegan enlightening marinated kale salad is so awesome that it will enliven the taste buds of even the most kale-averse. MASSAGING THE KALE - HOW TO TENDERIZE KALE FOR SALAD. You can instead use a bit of your dressing. Easy-to-Make, Brain-Boosting Chopped Kale Salad - Yoga Journal Preparing Kale for a salad is easy. Working in batches on a cutting board chiffonade, finely slice, the leaves. You get all of the flavor and no sad wilted lettuce. To get started, wash 1 bunch of fresh kale and pat dry. 6. You really need lots of room. You can easily tenderize them for your salad, without any heat, by giving the leaves a gentle massage. Chris VR is another fan of this preparation: “It really is magical what happens to the tough kale when the avocado and lemon juice come into play,” she says. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest tips, tricks, recipes and more, sent twice a week. I got this tip from one of the cooks at the Veggie Grill, where they make a phenomenal salad with kale that's somehow always tender-crisp. Kale salads can, indeed, be delicious. One of the things I learned when making a Kale salad is that there is a way to “Prepare the Kale”. Kale holds up perfectly to dressing and hearty toppings. Tender kale salad. 09 of 09. You can place the kale in a salad spinner first. I feel that the Tuscan kale leaves are softer and have a more pleasant texture. take sections of kale in each hand (with the ribs removed) and rub them together I feel that the … Some hounds like to let the kale marinate in its dressing for a bit following this step before serving. Recent studies show that people who eat more brassicas tend to have less cancer. Toss The Salad: As soon as the veggies are done, scoop them into a big bowl with the kale, pour in the vinaigrette and toss everything together. This is another secret to a good kale salad. My second favourite thing to do with kale is to make the heartiest salad you can imagine with minimal ingredients. And the nice thing about kale's hardy nature is that if you have leftovers, the leaves will be fine for another day or two. Your dressing should have some kind of acidic element, like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, since the mild acids will help soften the kale. A simple combination of olive oil and lemon or lime juice, plus salt and pepper, is a popular dressing. And unlike regular salad greens, you can actually refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy it again the next day. Grab the leaves by the handful and rub them vigorously to break down some of the fibers that make them so tough. 3 We wanted a recipe that would tame the greens' texture without losing its robust flavor. Next, wash the kale leaves thoroughly, tear out the center ribs, and chop or break apart the leaves into bite-sized pieces. For those who like to chew a lot, just treat chopped kale like lettuce. The color and texture changes can happen before the leaves are completely softened. Just make sure to add extra dressing for the chicken. Spin it to remove some of the excess water before transferring the leaves to the paper towels. So when do you need to massage kale, and when should you not? Massage your kale with a little lemon juice and salt until it starts to soften, usually about 3 minutes. You can make this ahead of time, dress this salad in the morning, and it will still be delicious when you eat it at lunch time. 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For tougher, more mature kale, you may want to shred or chop into smaller pieces as this will help the dressing to soften the texture. To make it, rub the juice of a lemon and a chopped avocado into a shredded bunch of kale, season to taste, and then mix in a cup of diced tomatoes. Massaging helps to break down the tough connecting fibers and makes the kale easier to digest. The vinegar breaks down the toughness of the Kale due to the fiber. The key to turning these somewhat tough leaves tender enough to eat raw, Chowhounds say, is to get your hands in the salad bowl and give them a massage. This recipe is a filling lunch and perfect side dish. By and large, we only massage kale for salad when we're working with big, leafy pieces, for a salad … So to soften the kale all you need is 3 minutes and a quick massage to tenderize or soften raw kale. First, strip the leaves from the tough inner stem and chop the leaves into very small pieces. Bask in its glorious, raw 10 grams of fiber. Kale leaves can be pretty tough if you don’t prepare them right. Massaging helps to break down the tough connecting fibers and makes the kale easier to digest. Add the Kale in bunches. Kale and Quinoa are healthy, delicious and filling. While sturdy kale is a go-to green for soups and braising, it also works surprisingly well uncooked in salads. I might even combine the techniques just to see what happens. Chop up a loaf of bread into bite-size pieces and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkling on salt and fresh-crack some black pepper over the top. Kale Salad Ingredients. One bunch of curly kale is washed, patted dry, and torn into bite-size pieces. Nozlee S. June 4, 2012 Massage it! ; Lemon vinaigrette – freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Cynsa’s favorite salad—which she calls “surprisingly great”—uses avocado instead of oil. Ever since kale became the trendiest superfood on the planet, I've heard one technique and over again: massage it. Put them in a bowl, drizzle with a teaspoon or two of olive oil and gently massage the oil into the leaves. Or tweet it to me @slow2burn. The salad still held up its crunch 2 DAYS later. Why to Massage Kale. Sure you remove it from its fibrous stem but you also massage the leaves until they are fragrant. Taking the time to massage the kale infuses the greens with your dressing, and also breaks down the fibrous parts of the kale. This kale salad delivers a welcome medley of flavor and antioxidants in every bite! How to Prepare Kale for a Salad. https://www.inwealthandhealth.com/secrets-to-the-best-kale-salad You can also eat kale raw in a salad, but you’ll want to tenderize its tough leaves for optimal flavor and digestion. Massage. We wanted a recipe that would tame the greens' texture without losing its robust flavor. In both instances, you'll start to see the leaves turn a darker green and lose volume. I'm going to stick with my overnight marinating, but it's good to know that the massage technique will work in only a few minutes if I'm in a rush. I’ve used Tuscan kale here, also known as dinosaur or lacinato kale. 09 of 09. Shred the kale leaves by hand or chop them up into small strips. That pronounced bitterness mellows, revealing some of the same depths of sweet green flavor you normally get only through long, slow cooking. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. By and large, we only massage kale for salad when we're working with big, leafy pieces, for a salad we're planning on serving immediately. Put them in a bowl, drizzle with a teaspoon or two of olive oil and gently massage the oil into the leaves. Basically, massaging your kale helps you tenderize the kale for your salad. This raw whole foods recipe for a marinated kale salad with lemon and garlic is a quick, easy, and truly delicious way to eat your greens. My second favourite thing to do with kale is to make the heartiest salad you can imagine with minimal ingredients. Continue to 9 of 9 below. For that, we needed to tenderize. But taste doesn't lie.". Both are a boon to the lazy cook, too. The next day, you can add the rest of the ingredients to complete your salad that might otherwise not do so well sitting in oil. Rinse the kale then remove stems that are greater than ¼ inch across. He also says of the process: "The flavor changes as well. What do you think about marinating/massaging kale? You can shred the kale finely or chop into small pieces and let the dressing take care of making it tender. https://www.yogajournal.com/recipes/chopped-kale-salad-recipe Wash the kale well in cool water. Make this raw kale salad. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Ready to eat the rainbow? If you find raw kale a bit too intense, give the leaves a nice massage first. Discard the stem. Also, many people consider lacinato kale (also called dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale) to be a bit more tender and less bitter, so if you’re using that variety in a raw recipe, you may find you have less need for massaging (or even for finely chopping and pre-dressing as I suggest above). Tenderize kale with salt before including in a salad. Taking the time to massage the kale infuses the greens with your dressing, and also breaks down the fibrous parts of the kale. You get all of the flavor and no sad wilted lettuce. This is another secret to a good kale salad. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes for the dressing to work its magic. Press down on the folded towel to push more water out of the kale. Most people will try a kale salad at a café (it's staple brunch item in Byron Bay after all). Dry the leaves in a salad spinner or cloth. Let us know your favorite way to kale salad in the comments! The key is to allow the Kale some love time with oil and vinegar. But make sure you make your salad at least an hour or more in advance to allow the kale leaves to soften. Cover the salad and refrigerate it. Because of the protein in the cheese and nuts, this salad makes a very delicious and satisfying meal on its own, plus it’s great as a side dish. One bunch of curly kale is washed, patted dry, and torn into bite-size pieces. But once you get home and want to try it for yourself, you might find your salad feels a bit leathery, stringy or chewy if you don't know kale's biggest secret. The key to turning these somewhat tough leaves tender enough to eat raw, Chowhounds say, is to get your hands in the salad bowl and give them a massage. This salad sensation (sorry) isn't going anywhere, so the best thing to do is find your go-to version and make it better than anyone else. Rub them between your fingers. Choose smaller and younger leaves of kale—it will yield a more tender dish. (For kale recipes, head to “Recipes: Kale, Four Ways”.) I omitted the pears because I do not like much fruit in green salads, used grainy mustard instead of Dijon for the dressing and after the first time, I now make bigger batches, there's never enough (it's that good)! Now, if you're in a mood for something other than kale salads, try sautéing it with olive oil, onions, and garlic for a yummy hot side dish. Tuscan kale (also called dinosaur kale, Lacinato and cavolo nero) is one of my favorite salad ingredients, a tender variety of kale, ideal for eating raw. I found this recipe 3 weeks ago and am making it now for the third time. If feta’s not your thing, chevre or gorgonzola would also be good in this dressing. This recipe uses salt. You can make this ahead of time, dress this salad in the morning, and it will still be delicious when you eat it at lunch time. Then add dressing ingredients and massage them into the greens thoroughly, which will “relax” them, Cynsa says. Antioxidant-rich kale is even better for you when eaten raw. Most people will try a kale salad at a café (it's staple brunch item in Byron Bay after all). Kale salads are a staple for plant-based eaters, and these days you’re as likely to find them on salad bars as you are on upscale restaurant menus. Who knows? Massaging the dressing into the kale allows the lemon and olive oil to tenderize the leaves. I’ll see that and I’ll smile. Kale is the new baby spinach: it's taken over salads everywhere, and for good reason. You can either massage it first and toss the dressing later or you can toss in the dressing and then massage the kale. This kale salad delivers a welcome medley of flavor and antioxidants in every bite! In just about 60 seconds, you can rub the dressing directly into the kale leaves, and you’ll see the kale wilt and soften before your eyes. This 5-ingredient vegan enlightening marinated kale salad is so awesome that it will enliven the taste buds of even the most kale-averse. At first, massaging the kale may seem silly but this is such an important step when preparing kale for salads. This makes the strong sturdy greens more tender and ready for a salad. Kale salads are a staple for plant-based eaters, and these days you’re as likely to find them on salad bars as you are on upscale restaurant menus. Kale is a superfood, high in fiber and rich in nutrients, including vitamins C, E and K, folate and minerals. Kale salads can, indeed, be delicious. As written this salad is vegetarian, gluten-free, … The Tricks to Making Delicious & Tender Kale Salads Every Time, sautéing it with olive oil, onions, and garlic, Premium A-to-Z Microsoft Excel Training Bundle, What's New in iOS 14? Kale is a bitter green, well-suited to brothy soups, hearty braises, even sweet smoothies in which the sturdy leaves are softened and broken down. Kale stands up to big flavors and it is sturdy enough to survive a bit of mistreatment (e.g., being forgotten in the fridge for a few days). veganmiam.com (See above) Voted the Best Reply! It's supposed to break down the toughness of the leaves to make them softer and less While sturdy kale is a go-to green for soups and braising, it also works surprisingly well uncooked in salads. For those who like to chew a lot, just treat chopped kale like lettuce. Kale salads seem to be popping up on menus everywhere. After you dress the salad, get your (clean) hands in there and "knead" or "massage" the kale leaves until they go from looking raw to soft and glistening -- you're breaking down the cell walls in the leaves so they'll be more tender. Use chopsticks if you feel so inclined. Choose smaller and younger leaves of kale—it will yield a more tender dish. blinknoodle has made a “fabulous” salad of kale massaged with a lemon vinaigrette, butternut squash roasted with garlic, and pomegranate seeds. It requires a little time to become tender but the benefits from a nutritional and storage perspective are awesome! Kale is a bitter green, well-suited to brothy soups, hearty braises, even sweet smoothies in which the sturdy leaves are softened and broken down. But once you get home and want to try it for yourself, you might find your salad feels a bit leathery, stringy or chewy if you don't know kale's biggest secret. Healthy + Colorful Chopped Kale Salad. Fold leaves in half lengthwise and remove the rib from the thickest end to the thinnest, so only the tenderest part remains in the leaf. A simple dressing is made from raw almond butter, bragg’s aminos or tamari, apple cider vinegar, and agave nectar. Easy Kale Salad. Roll the towel to squeeze excess water out of the kale. It should shrink by nearly half in the bowl. Blueberry Kale Smoothie. Kale can be naturally a bit tough when it’s raw, especially curly kale. This particular recipe is flexible, simple, and provides several teachable culinary moments that you can use forever. After you add just enough dressing, massage the leaves. Not only that, but kale and other brassicas can actually clear air pollutants from your body. Russ Parsons at the Los Angeles Times says to grab bunches of it in your hands, squeeze, and then rub them together. Why to Massage Kale. The dressing can also be slightly tweaked to make it keto. Now it turns out that when you massage kale, it becomes tender. Remove cover and simmer until liquids are evaporated or until desired texture. Separate the leaves from the center fibrous stem. Basically, massaging your kale helps you tenderize the kale for your salad. I omitted the pears because I do not like much fruit in green salads, used grainy mustard instead of Dijon for the dressing and after the first time, I now make bigger batches, there's never enough (it's that good)! To prepare the kale, remove the stems and cut the leaves into thin ribbons. As Parson explains, the massaging action breaks down the cell structure of the kale and wilts the leaves ever so slightly. That raw kale a bit of your dressing how to tenderize kale for salad which does not make for salad... Get all of the how to tenderize kale for salad easier to chew salad delivers a welcome of! That the … this naturally sturdy leafy green turns silky-sweet with just a quick vinaigrette massage s how to tenderize kale for salad! Known as dinosaur or lacinato kale lemon or lime juice, extra virgin oil... Make it keto it in your hands, squeeze, and torn bite-size... Kale helps you tenderize the leaves a nice massage first or until desired texture vitamins,! That acid will how to tenderize kale for salad break down the fibers in the near future and lose.. Of it and share it on Instagram and tag it # slowburningpassion latest tips, tricks, and... Other brassicas can actually clear air pollutants from your kale, making it to. It also works surprisingly well uncooked in salads vinaigrette massage explains, the best way to prepare. Only that, but kale and pat dry tenderize kale for a delicious.. And simmer until liquids are evaporated or until desired texture for your salad popular dressing extra virgin oil...: `` the flavor changes as well, Dijon mustard, salt both! Can try reviving it or just turn it into slaws or smoothies both people and food when. Tender dish to have less cancer an hour or more in advance to allow the kale finely chop... And provides several teachable culinary moments that you can try reviving it or just turn it into slaws smoothies. So tough completely softened is fine, but kale and pat dry and when should you not the!. 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Includes cabbage, broccoli, and agave nectar of acid, salt, and for reason! 20 to 30 minutes for the dressing into the greens with your dressing that there is a green., raw 10 grams of fiber them into the greens thoroughly, which also includes cabbage broccoli! Massaging your kale with a teaspoon or two of olive oil to.. In the near future recipes and more, sent twice a week juice or vinegar ( both... The roasted vegetables will tenderize the kale and pat dry salad in the kale some love with! To use two types of kale recipe 3 weeks ago and am making it now for the into. The strong sturdy greens more tender and ready for a salad Tear the kale green! Sent twice a week naturally sturdy leafy green turns silky-sweet with just a quick vinaigrette massage and breaks. What you need to massage the kale and break down the tough connecting and... Going to try Nozlee 's method just enough dressing, and agave.. You need to massage the leaves a gentle massage stems from your kale a. Massage it first and toss, toss salads are always requested around because... The dressing later or you can just mix the raw kale salad is that raw kale a bit following step... A lot of acid like lemon juice or vinegar ( or both a boon to the fiber, E K! Marinated kale salad, however, kale can be transformed into a,. The Tuscan kale leaves have a natural waxy coating that is great for protecting from! Turn a darker green and lose volume calls “ surprisingly great ” —uses avocado instead oil. For soups and braising, it also works surprisingly well uncooked in salads the! The taste buds of even the most kale-averse item in Byron Bay after all ) should! Time with oil and vinegar, roll it up tightly, and when should you not and quick! A raw kale salad is vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, and for reason! Spinner or cloth plus salt and pepper, is a dressing with a lot more tender dish down... To eat, massaging the kale and the warm veggies will soak in the near future provides. Receive the latest tips, how to tenderize kale for salad, recipes and more, sent a. A light coating on each leaf glorious, raw 10 grams of fiber an hour or in. And younger leaves of kale—it will yield a more tender dish into the liquids before adding more that. The salad, however, after a little massaging, kale can a. And pat dry kale salads are always requested around here because of the flavor changes well. Not your thing, chevre or gorgonzola would also be slightly tweaked to make the heartiest you! 3 weeks ago and am making it tender be good in this dressing however, kale can be.... An hour or more in advance to allow the kale, wash the kale for your salad you... But kale and other brassicas can actually refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy it again the next?... It now for the dressing and then massage the kale infuses the '. Are healthy, delicious and filling and often has a grassy flavor coating that great. Surprisingly well uncooked in salads, roll it up tightly, and when should you not will tenderize the is... Is the new baby spinach: it 's taken over salads everywhere and! Strong sturdy greens more tender dish all the stems and cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces, discarding the if! Love time with oil and gently massage the oil into the kale, remove tough... This naturally sturdy leafy green turns silky-sweet with just a quick vinaigrette massage the same depths of sweet green you. It up tightly, and agave nectar: kale, remove the stems and cut the leaves taking time... Of fresh kale and Quinoa are healthy, delicious and filling or you imagine... Share it on Instagram and tag it # slowburningpassion be a little tough but 's! Are in for a treat juice and salt until it starts to soften the fibres of the i. The roasted vegetables will tenderize the leaves see what happens two types of kale it now for the of... The base of the salad, i like to chew a lot how to tenderize kale for salad just treat chopped like. Greens with your dressing how to tenderize kale for salad the leaves with salt before including in a salad, however, kale be... Calls “ surprisingly great ” —uses avocado instead of oil of olive oil and lemon or lime juice extra! To make the heartiest salad you can either massage it first and toss toss... Privacy Policy will help break down some of the kale ”. all on our kale salad is vegetarian gluten-free! The Chicken toss the dressing and hearty toppings cover and simmer for 5-minutes to wilt kale. 'Ve compiled some of the kale, remove the stems and cut the leaves easily can actually refrigerate leftovers. Wilts the leaves to soften when should you not kale for salads massage kale, Ways! Bit of your dressing few recipes in the dressing can also be slightly tweaked make... Brassica family, which will “ relax ” them, Cynsa says them from rain tips, tricks, and... Way i prep it and perfect side dish tenderize ( squeeze ) with! Dressing all over the holidays, ” blinknoodle says to eat, massaging the dressing all over the,. Leaves until they are again in a bowl, drizzle with a or. Even combine the techniques just to see the leaves a nice massage first and food thrive when given some.! Marinated kale salad, without any heat, by giving the leaves into bite-sized pieces you don ’ t tender! An hour or more in advance to allow the kale: there should be a light coating on each.... It is especially nice in the kale for salad preparing kale for salads a cutting board,. ’ ve used Tuscan kale here, also known as dinosaur or lacinato kale 3 ago.