Massage. Tear the leaves into small pieces and place in a large bowl. It causes the kale … Plus, it’s super good for you. Below I’ll show you how to massage and soften kale. Ever since kale became the trendiest superfood on the planet, I’ve heard one technique and over again: massage it. You can massage kale plain, if you plan to add a dressing later. “When making a kale salad, people always talk about ‘massaging’ the kale to tenderize it, but it’s not like giving someone a massage,” says chef Bruce Kalman, owner of BK Hospitality Group. Massaging kale tenderizes the leaves, making them perfect for a healthy and great salad. Unlike most greens, kale is pretty fibrous and hearty. CA Do Not Sell My Personal Information     Sitemap redirect. Like, if kale had eyes, cucumber slices would most definitely be placed on them. I find curly kale to be the most tiring kale variety to eat. It means pretty much exactly what it sounds like it means: you grab up your would-be salad greens and give them a good rubdown, usually with some combination of olive oil, salt, and/or a bit of acid like lemon juice or vinegar. All rights reserved. Seriously. Although massaging kale works, it can be time consuming. You'll notice that the kale will reduce. If you try my recipe, use #cookingformysoul on Instagram! “Massaging” kale is one of the easiest culinary techniques – and simplest health tips – ever. Massage the kale with … If you like what you see, subscribe to the email list to receive updates directly in your inbox! MASSAGING! Kale is delicious, but you’ll also notice that, when raw, it can be very tough and bitter. Your email address will not be published. Then, stick your hands into the bowl, and start working the oil and salt into the kale. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. Using clean hands, firmly rub olive oil, lemon juice, and salt into kale until softened, about 5 minutes. Massaged Kale Salad with an easy Mandarin Vinaigrette is the most delicious way to enjoy this hardy winter green. ), 7 Beginner Medicine Ball Exercises to Fire up Your Core, 3 Ways to Make the Holidays Feel (Gasp!) And that's where massaging comes in. It's not like lettuce which is pretty delicate. Give those leaves a little extra love makes them so tender and converts even the most intense kale haters to kale lovers! Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces, then wash and dry them with a salad spinner. Personally, a massaged kale salad is the only kind of kale salad I’ll eat. It should take less than a minute. Enjoy! Taking the time to massage the kale infuses the greens with your dressing, and also breaks down the fibrous parts of the kale. To massage kale, first slice the kale, then place it in a large bowl. Chop kale leaves and place in a large bowl. What Does “Massage Kale” Mean??? Fun, Because It’s Been a Year, We Asked a Dermatologist to Answer the Most-Googled Skin-Care Questions of 2020. After this, start massaging the kale. To massage, place one chopped bunch in a bowl and drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. It takes just three minutes and is so fool-proof it can be mastered by kitchen novices in a heartbeat. The simple answer is: kale is tough. To me, massaging kale sounds like it should be a totally Zen spa experience. Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing, Garlic Shrimp Fettuccine with Tomatoes and Mushrooms, It softens and tenderizes kale leaves by breaking down tough fibers, It reduces the bitterness of raw kale and brings out great natural flavors. But…when raw, it can be so tough and bitter! Add a generous drizzle of olive oil and about 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Let's massage some kale- it's easier than you think. First, you need to mix the dressing together, give it a good stir, then set aside. Working with your hands, toss the kale in the oil and lemon while massaging the leaves. “You just need 1 1/2 gallons of cold, filtered water, 1/4 cup of kosher salt, and three bunches of Tuscan kale with the bottom two inches of the stems removed.”. ), you can get super tender and delicious kale leaves, perfect for a light salad. Make sure you don't massage for too long, or it will become mushy. “When making a kale salad, people always talk about ‘massaging’ the kale to tenderize it, but it’s not like giving someone a massage,” says chef Bruce Kalman, owner of BK Hospitality Group. Luckily, taking a few minutes to massage your kale … Well…by massaging kale (YES! Alright, time to go make a kale salad! Add a pinch of salt. Cook Time 5 minutes. Massaging kale leaves with dressing will help to soften them. With clean hands, firmly massage and crush the greens to work in the flavoring. People are making everything with kale, especially salads. Mar 11, 2019 - Massaged Kale Salads are all the rage right now. common kitchen tool that helps you chop a salad super fast. Stop when the volume of … Remove the thick middle stem from the kale first then chop it. Try my Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing! But what does it mean to massage your kale, exactly? It’s supposed to break down the toughness of the leaves to make them softer and less bitter, giving you a bowl of greens that not only tastes better but is easier to digest. In a bowl, pour one tablespoon of dressing over the kale and massage the kale until the leaves are coated with dressing and begin to relax and soften. Once kale prepared in this way, you can create an amazing array of salads. Kale Salad with Edamame, Roasted Cashews and Miso Dressing. How to Massage Kale Our go-to method: Add chopped kale to a large bowl and top with lemon juice and olive oil. Add the juice of a lemon with the lemon juicer (below in our SHOP) and a pinch of sea salt. When the cell … In large serving bowl, add the kale, half of lemon juice, a drizzle of oil and a little kosher salt. Here’s more need-to-know info on kale: how it compares to spinach health-wise and the common kitchen tool that helps you chop a salad super fast. Now you know how to massage kale, and how easy it is! Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook for the latest fun updates and recipes! “Another method I really like is brining the kale leaves in cold, salted water,” he says. Why do you massage kale? “After the time is up—24 hours is ideal—remove the kale from the water and gently shake the leaves to remove excess water, then place leaves on pans with cooling rack to allow the leaves to drain and dry, one to two hours,” he explains. Alternately, cook it to soften it. Massage until softened, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Don't worry, we've got you covered with this super simple tutorial! Add Parmesan, oil, lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce, anchovy (if using), pepper and salt. And it it soooo good. By massaging kale you will soften the leaves and makes them easier to chew and digest. HOW TO DO IT. First things first. Whether you decide to give your kale a massage or simply soak it in salty water, you’ll be left with a restaurant-worthy salad with leaves so perfectly tender that you might even convince yourself to bring it to work to eat every day. Kalman says to start by grabbing a large plastic container that holds at least three gallons of volume and combine the water and salt using a wire whisk until the salt is completely dissolved. The way to tell if you’ve hit the right point, as it is with most things, is to taste. Then, submerge the kale in the water and cover with a towel to keep it submerged, allowing it to soak for 12 to 24 hours. It also helps release sugars to balance its bitterness for a much tastier salad. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. You'll notice that the kale will reduce. The kale massager is a robotic kitchen tool that helps turn kale into supple salad form for you, no hands needed. Like, all types of kale salads. Total Time 40 minutes. Massage with your hands for 1-2 minutes, until softened and tender. So in order to make the kale more palatable, you need to soften it. I’ll show you how to massage kale so you can make delicious salads with tender kale leaves! Use clean hands to massage for about 3 minutes to soften the leaves and infuse the leaves with the oil and lemon. Massage with your hands for 1-2 minutes, until softened and tender. A pinch of salt added near the end of massaging … Most people probably don’t think about prepping it so it can be used appropriately in salads. How to Massage Kale for Salad. Some kale might be pre-washed for you. Massaging kale makes the leaves more tender and softens the flavor of the kale. lemon juice, and the kosher salt. Yup, I love kale, obviously! Raw kale left alone doesn’t have much taste, but once you start chewing, chopping or massaging the cruciferous vegetable, a chemical reaction starts to happen. Either rip the leafy parts of the kale from the ribs or cut them off with a knife, then discard the ribs. Place the kale, olive oil, lemon juice and salt in a large bowl. There are two main benefits of massaging kale… Now, your kale is ready to be used for salads. Massaging your kale is an important step when you’re making a kale salad. STEP 2: Using a massaging action similar to kneading dough, massage the kale with your hands for 2-3 minutes until the kale is a dark green color and tender to touch. Make this your go to when you’re in need of some fall/winter cleansing. Wash and dry the leaves. Because even though kale is one of the most nutritious greens, it’s also one of the most bitter tasting greens. Set aside while you make … Massaged kale and earthy brussels sprouts make for a shockingly delicious and hearty salad base. Unfortunately, there’s no R&R for these greens. Rub the oil into the leaves for two to three minutes; the kale will wilt slightly and darken in color. If you want more acidity, you can add another teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice, to taste. Your email address will not be published. Instead, consider chopping the kale in small ribbons and blending it with lettuce to make it easier to eat. Required fields are marked *. If you overwork it, it won’t have any sort of texture, and you really want your salad to be crisp, but not tough.”, While massaging kale is undoubtedly the most common and quickest method of breaking down those chewy fibers—especially when you’re doing so around the same time you want to eat!—Kalman has a different technique that you can use for big meal prep-worthy batches, which requires no massaging whatsoever. Get it daily. I don’t have the patience for it, especially if there is a lot of kale to massage. The idea behind it it's super simple. Prep Time 35 minutes. You have to massage your kale. Welcome to Cooking For My Soul. Place kale in a large bowl and pour on dressing, such as a vinaigrette. Preparing Massaged Kale. Rub the kale leaves together between your fingers, until they just start to wilt. “The method I use basically requires you to gently rub the kale leaves through both of your hands until you notice it beginning to soften up. Kale will darken and reduce in mass. You can also eat kale raw in a salad, but you’ll want to tenderize its tough leaves for optimal flavor and digestion. Cut the kale into ribbons and place it in a large bowl. Massage until the kale starts to soften and wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. “When the leaves are dry, chiffonade (finely shred) with a very sharp knife, or ceramic knife, so as not to bruise it.”. No, we're not talking about dimming the lights and squirting on the scented oils—you should massage your kale with either your dressing, or … So if the flavor and texture of raw kale leaves is a bit much for you, you might enjoy a massaged kale salad. Add the radicchio, chickpeas, fennel and … You'll learn it once and apply the same technique over and over. Using your fingertips, rub the salt into each piece of kale, tossing it at the same time. Basically, massaging your kale helps you tenderize the kale for your salad. Drizzle the leaves with olive oil and a little salt. Discard the stems. Liddon explains how: ‘First, rip out the stems and save them for a smoothie. Here you'll find all my latest recipes, adventures, and all sorts of other stuff. Rinse and dry the kale. (Hint: it’s not a knife. Another way to soften the texture and flavor of kale … Also helps release sugars to balance its bitterness for a smoothie and bitter and crush the with... Your fingertips, rub the oil and about 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice first, need... Your own tool that helps you tenderize the kale … the simple answer is: kale is tough Cut kale... To eat two to three minutes and is so fool-proof it can be very tough bitter! Large serving bowl, add the juice of a lemon with the oil into the bowl, add the of..., consider chopping the kale, first slice the kale from the kale wilt. Soften them massager is a lot of kale to a large bowl and top with lemon,... Medicine Ball Exercises to Fire up your Core, 3 Ways to make the Holidays Feel Gasp... 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