Garlic Bacon Kale Recipe (How to Cook Kale) (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook kale to eat? ›

For whole leaves, rinse, then put them in a pan without shaking the water off, cover, then cook for up to 2 minutes, until wilted. Drain thoroughly. For chopped or shredded leaves, put in a pan of water 1cm deep with a pinch of salt, then bring to the boil and simmer for up to 5 minutes, until wilted.

In a large saucepan bring about 2 cups of water and a large pinch of salt (⅛ to ¼ tsp.) to boiling. Add 12 ounces torn kale. Return to boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until tender.

Massaging Kale – massaging kale with a little oil and/or lemon juice for just a few minutes makes it more tender and easier to chew. Plus, it adds an extra boost of flavor.

As a result, for those who prefer cooked kale, steaming it for a short duration may be the best way to preserve its nutrient levels. Kale is a nutrient-dense food that's high in several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Raw kale can be hard to digest. Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content. Nutrition experts say steaming kale is a good way to make it easier to digest while preserving most of the nutrients.

Steaming kale is a wonderfully gentle ​way to handle this tough green. Cut the kale as you want to serve it, set it in a colander or steamer over a pot of boiling shallow water, cover and cook until the kale is tender (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Massage the kale: Use your clean hands to massage the kale with olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Turn the small pieces frequently to make sure they soften evenly. Add to your favorite dishes: Once tenderized, your kale is ready to eat! Add your massaged raw kale to a salad or one of your other favorite recipes.

To preserve nutrients, don't cook kale for more than 10 minutes over high heat (in a skillet or oven at 400°F). Limit baking kale to 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F. Don't prewash kale before using, it can wilt the leaves quickly. Don't toss out wilted kale — simply slice it up, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Mix with sweets: combining kale with naturally sweet-tasting foods such as fruits, or sweet-tasting spices can help mask some of its bitterness. Add a touch of salt or spices: spicy and salty flavors can also tame some of kale's strong bitterness. Try cooking kale in vegetable broth with a touch of chili flakes.

How long does it take to boil kale? ›

To boil kale, add either whole leaves or chopped leaves to a saucepan and pour over cold water until the leaves are just covered. Bring to the boil and season, then simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the kale is nicely wilted. Drain thoroughly, and leave to air dry for a few minutes.

Kale is great as a side dish or in a smoothie, and you can't go wrong with steaming it. Steamed kale retains important nutrients, such as calcium, that are important for you to have. Luckily, steaming kale can be as easy as chopping it and putting it in a steamer or microwave.

Boiling reduces kale's bitterness and allows its natural sweetness to shine, so keep the seasoning light and fresh. Boiled kale is like a blank canvas for flavor, so it's great to add into other dishes, without overpowering other ingredients.

Cooking kale too much or burning it can have negative consequences on its taste and texture. Overcooking can cause the leaves to become mushy, lose their vibrant color, and release an unpleasant sulfur-like smell. Burning the leaves can result in a bitter taste and a charred, unappetizing appearance.

Steam It. Steamed Kale. Steaming kale is a wonderfully gentle ​way to handle this tough green. Cut the kale as you want to serve it, set it in a colander or steamer over a pot of boiling shallow water, cover and cook until the kale is tender (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Kale is great as a side dish or in a smoothie, and you can't go wrong with steaming it. Steamed kale retains important nutrients, such as calcium, that are important for you to have. Luckily, steaming kale can be as easy as chopping it and putting it in a steamer or microwave.