Most people turn up their noses when it comes to kale (unless it’s kale chips, which are great), including Chris and my dad. I don’t blame them, really, it is a pretty bitter vegetable if you don’t cook it right. It’s a very dark green green, and, if you have experience cooking (or…eating), you know that dark greens can often be a bit bitter. But, kale was on sale at the grocery, and I had never really cooked it before, so I picked up a HUGE bunch (it actually took 5 minutes and two of us to get it into the bag).
Kale, still planted
It sat in the fridge for a few days as I was unsure what to do with it, and I knew Chris was even more unsure and not looking forward to it. Then, one day for dinner, I got out the kale. I was on a mission. This was going to be cooked and it was going to LIKE IT! My planned dish was pasta with kale.
Spoiler: It turned out great.
So, let me share with you how to easily make your kale taste great. Encourage your family members and friends to come out of hiding when they hear the word ‘kale’ with a great way of cooking them. I learned a few tips from this article here.
Directions:
- Wash your kale
- Cut the stems off
- Fold your kale in halves or thirds
- Shove them (I literally pushed them down) into a pot that they barely fit in
- Fill that pot 1/3 up with water
- Bring water to a boil
- Reduce to a simmer and let cook for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring
- Drain the kale
- Pour cold water over it until it’s cool enough to handle
- Get those leaves right back into a pot or pan; at this point, it’s up to you, get creative, cook with spices you enjoy (I cooked it with oil and lemon juice, lots of garlic, salt, pepper, and basil)
And serve! You really want to get some flavors in on that last step, so don’t be afraid to go wild. It tasted wonderful and went beautifully with the oil-and garlic pasta I made for the ‘main dish.’ Try it out. I promise it’s not awful. And remember, the trick is to BOIL IT. This is what gets the darn bitterness out that turn so many people away.
(picture stole from here, I sadly didn’t take any pictures that night)
hungry and fit 
Yay! I love Kale!
So glad everyone seems to be rethinking kale lately. It has so much to offer, and for once it’s an easy vegetable to grow!
Absolutely!
We grew it for the first time this year. I usually put it in something like soup or chilli, that way my family eats it!
Ooh that’s a great idea!
That way the kids eat it! 🙂
I’m allergic to kale but I eat it anyway.
Great job on cooking the kale! 🙂 I like it much better than collards or mustard greens. I grew some this past winter, and will be growing more – Can’t wait until the cooler weather gets here!
Yeah!
It’s funny that I’ve just seen this post as I was just telling some friends that I refuse to cook kale (but mostly because I have no idea what to do with it). Thanks for posting about this apparently misunderstood vegetable… maybe I’ll give it a go sometime, in which case I’ll make sure I re-check this post!
Yay try it!
Hi! That sounds so yummy (I’m going to try yours out!) and it makes me happy to see others who are giving kale a shot! I usually put kale into my smoothie for the added health benefits, but have YET to try it in an actual cooked meal! I’ll update you when I make it 🙂
Yes please do!
I have been scouring the web for info on how to de-bitterize kale. I know it is soooo good for you, and I really don’t eat a lot of veggies besides squash, cauliflower, lettuce, and spinach, so the more I can learn about how to make them taste edible the better! I have only ever eaten raw kale in smoothies and it is unbearably bitter!! I am hoping that by cooking it I will be able to enjoy it. Question here though… is the water it’s boiled in bitter after cooking (I’m thinking of putting it in soup, but wonder if I should boil, drain and rinse first, or if the simple act of boiling somehow completely destroys the bitter compounds, in which case, I could just throw the raw pieces into the soup and let it cook there).
Hmm, I actually haven’t tasted the broth. but I do have a feeling it’s where the bitterness goes. But I could be wrong!
Thanks, that is kind of what I’m thinking too. I’ll find out. I am going to the Saturday market tomorrow to pick up some good kale (all the stuff I see in the stores is always wilted), and will boil it up, and mix it into a lentil-veggie stew I made a couple days ago. I will taste the cook water after and find out what it tastes like, then I will know for future reference!!
Let us know!
Well, aparently going 2 hrs after market opens is too late, as they were all sold out… will try again next week, unless I chance upon some happy looking kale in a store in the mean time!! But I will be sure to let you know how it goes when it happens!
I’m surprised you referred to kale as being bitter – for me, collard greens are *much* worse. I like to saute my kale in chicken stock, then after it’s all wilted hit it with one tablespoon of oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and a dash of red pepper flakes. I always feel like I haven’t made enough!
Yum!!
Have you ever tried stir frying with some olive oil and garlic? You just inspired me to try kale again! Lol
I LOVE kale! I have it in a green smoothie everyday (with a bit of raw honey to counteract the bitterness). Great post 🙂
yum!
I bake mine with some sesame seeds and paprika, its like healthy chips YUM!
Yum!!
Hi- Thanks for liking my last post. Love your style and blog-have never tried kale but will do so now!
Good!
Love this! I’ve just started trying to incorporate kale into our menu and haven’t been able to get the hubby and toddler(who LOVES green veggies!) to eat it. Definitely trying this!
Awesome!!
I use Kale as the base of my smoothies!! It’s so good for you!!
The best!
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I steam kale and then eat it with a few pine nuts sprinkled in. De-Lish!
Yummy
I love all sorts of greens; Kale included. Country folks have been eating them for years. Of course they usually cook them down with ham hock or smoked turkey parts. They also add crushed red pepper and vinegar; or lemon juice. And be sure to have plenty of corn bread to soak up the pot liquor. I look forward to following your blog. Signed: no longer fit-just hungry.
Yummmmy
Love Kale! It is becoming very popular in the grocery stores. Health benefits are becoming more well known. Nice post!
Great article and fun to read about others experiences with cooking healthfully.
Thank you!
Love kale, and it is such a healthy veg. My secret ingredient is Garlic and Black Bean Sauce from the Chinese grocery stores. Goes a long way!
You’ve inspired me . I have been wanting to revisit Kale but the bitterness got in the way. I am going to try it again today. Thx
Awesome!
Kale rocks! I like kale chips – tossed in a little EVOO, garlic powder, cayenne, and baked…holy moses, those are good!
I love kale chips and have kale with practically EVERYTHING. I usually stuff a chicken breast with kale and apricots – my fave! Mmmm. 🙂
Yummmmmmmmmmmm
mmm… I have tried kale many times in restaurants recently and have never known how to make it – thanks for the tips!
Absolutely!
A quick tip. Kale gets sweeter in the fall after a frost. Just set it in the freezer for a while and let it frost before you use it.
Read my post on Kale.
http://forgetthepain.net/2012/07/07/kale-is-a-keeper/
Ooh great tips!
The bitter is great for the liver, and there’s a reason why its made that way 🙂
I love kale. I juice it with broccoli, celery, parsley, green apple. It’s good for your skin. Thanks for liking my post. I like your blog.
Thanks!
I followed your like here… and this is awesome! I love kale, though I mostly use it in kale chips or smoothies! I’ve never quite gotten used to the texture of boiled leafy vegetables…
Try it!!