Kale can be a bit tough to eat raw in salads. But if you know how to pamper it and prepare it, it becomes the perfect salad green. Learn how here.
A kale salad for lunch sounds so good, doesn’t it? Stop right there, you salad-loving fiend. Not so fast. Your mouth will hate you if you pop in a raw piece of kale.
Kale needs to be babied, coddled even. You have to take time to prepare the kale. And only then will it repay you with a delicious salad. Here are some tips.
Tips For How To Prepare Kale
Here’s some tips for preparing kale for salads. They make a big difference in the tenderness of this tasty green.
Kale has a ton of fiber. That’s one of its great health benefits. But it can also make you look like a cow gnawing on a big piece of kale. You have to tear or cut it into thin little pieces.
Remove the kale’s stem. Only use the leaves. Trust us. The stems are almost impossible to eat. You shouldn’t worry about hurting your jaw when eating salad.
This sounds incredibly silly but it makes a huge difference because it breaks down some of the plant’s fibrous cells.
Massage your kale with a little lemon juice and salt until it starts to soften, usually about 3 minutes. You can instead use a bit of your dressing. After you add just enough dressing, massage the leaves. Rub them between your fingers. You won’t hurt the kale, so go ahead press away. After you’ve given an impressive massage, let that bad boy sit for a minimum of 5 minutes. It’ll soften the kale even more.
Choose Your Dressing Wisely
I like vinaigrettes because they’re more acidic than other dressings. The dressing’s vinegar helps break down the leaves even more. I’ll do anything to make kale leaves more tender. Here’s our how-to guide for making your own vinaigrettes at home.
Healthy Kale Salad Recipe
FAQ
Can I eat kale raw in a salad?
Is it better to eat kale cooked or raw?
Will kale salad get soggy?
Can you use Kale in a salad?
However, I have personally never found this to be a problem if you are using the kale in a salad with a flavorful dressing. In addition to massaging kale, you can reduce its bitter flavor by pairing it with acidic and sweet ingredients, such as citrus juices or vinegars in a dressing and fruits in a salad.
Which is the best way to eat Kale?
Kale is a high-fiber cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables can cause gas and bloating or general digestive discomfort, especially in individuals who are just beginning to eat high-fiber cruciferous vegetables. Cooking kale, rather than eating it raw, and using recipes that call for lemon may reduce digestive side effects. Also effective in reducing gas and bloating is eating one-half teaspoon of fennel seeds(toasted, raw, or candied) after a meal when you experience gas or bloating. Drinking water after consuming a high fiber meal is recommended to help fiber pass through the digestive tract. Tuscan kale (also known as lacinato or dinosaur kale) is easier to incorporate into the diet, tastes better than other types of kale, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Kale is a nutritious high-fiber dark green vegetable that will upgrade any diet.
When should you eat Kale salad?
Kale salad is best served from late September to late April when kale is in season. It’s excellent when you have guests for dinner because it’s colorful and incredibly flavorful. You can serve it as a side dish during your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, for example, next to a lentil loaf, mushroom wellington, or stuffed butternut squash.
Does Kale need to be cooked?
All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Kale doesn’t need to be cooked to be enjoyed. If you slice it into fine ribbons or tear it into small bits, it makes a great salad.