Sometimes a food jumps into the mainstream, grabs hold of the spotlight, and doesn’t let go. A few years ago, that food was kale and like all trend foods that came before it, kale has permeated almost every culinary nook and cranny it could find. Don’t believe us? Fast food giant, McDonalds, is planning to add kale to the menu in the not-too-distant future. If that doesn’t signify the mass appeal of this particular leafy green, then we don’t know what does.
Kale has been a little bit of an anomaly, given that out of the most recent food trends (think sriracha and pumpkin spice everything), it’s a much healthier and nutrient dense food. Specifically, it’s high in Vitamins C and K, calcium, and beta-carotene.
But if you’ve never ventured to try this green leafy vegetable yet, you might be a little baffled as to how to cook kale. If that’s you, take a leap, and give it a try with these four easy cooking methods that will keep your meals interesting and different.
How to Saute Kale
Sauteing kale is a pretty popular way to cook kale. It’s quick and simple, and softens the leaves enough to be palatable. To start, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Rinse kale in cold water and chop (around a pound) leaves and stems. Chop two garlic cloves and cook in oil until soft – 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 cup of water and kale to skillet, and cook on high heat, covered, for five minutes. After, remove cover and saute until water is absorbed. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
How to Pan Fry Kale
A less utilized way of cooking kale is by pan frying it. But if you like your kale slightly crunchy (but not raw), this is a good way to go. Heat oil in a large skilled to around medium or medium-high heat. Rinse kale in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. You can chop it into large pieces or just pull it apart with your hands – either way works. Add kale to skillet once the oil is hot. Stir kale until it’s cooked (about 3-5 minutes). Toss in a little garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
How to Boil Kale
Boiling kale is a good way to soften it up. Although boiling it does cause it to lose some of the vitamins that it comes packed with, it’s still a super nutritious and healthy side. To boil kale, bring a large pot of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Rinse kale in cold water and chop or rip into two inch pieces. Once water is boiling, add kale to the pot. Bring water and kale back to a boil, cover (leave a little space for steam to escape) and cook for 3-4 minutes. Take kale off heat, and strain to remove excess water.sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
How to Bake Kale (and Make Kale Chips!)
Out of all of our methods for cooking kale, making chips might be the most fun (and most delicious), even though it takes a little bit longer. Preheat oven to 300 degrees fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse kale in cold water, pat dry, and pull or chop into small 2-inch pieces. Spread onto baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 20 minutes or until crispy.
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