Charcoal + Brass
Palette
CookingFix
vegetables6 min

Kale Too Tough

Your kale is tough because it was not massaged or cooked long enough. Massage with oil and add heat.

Part of vegetables cooking fixes and chewy food fixes .

tough leaveschewy texturevegangluten-free

Ingredients on hand

  • kale
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • lemon juice
  • skillet

Why it happened

Kale has sturdy cell walls. Massage and brief heat soften the fibers and improve texture.

The fix

  1. 1massage with olive oil and salt for 1 minute
  2. 2saute in a hot skillet for 2 minutes
  3. 3finish with lemon juice

If it's still wrong

  • chop finely and mix into a salad
  • blend into a pesto

Prevent next time

  • remove thick stems
  • cook slightly longer for tender greens

Notes

Why this works

Massaging breaks down the tough fibers, and quick heat softens the leaves without turning them mushy.

Substitutions

  • lemon juicevinegar
  • olive oilbutter

More chewy fixes

Other vegetables fixes