I first heard about massaged kale at Cru , a restaurant in Los Angeles. Once the dish arrived, I noticed something right away: the kale was nearly a different color and texture. The soft and delicate, tender and deep dark green leaves were a far cry from the thick and rubbery, silvery-green kale I knew. Instead of eating it because I knew how good it was for me, the kale was, dare I say it? I began experimenting with massaged kale at home and yielded amazing results.
The stiff, bitter leaves relax into buttery-soft ribbons that keep in the fridge for days. It was a revelation, all from just a little rub-down. When kale is massaged, its cellulose structure breaks down and wilts, so the leaves that were once tough and fibrous become silky. The kale reduces in volume by over half and the leaves take on a subtle sweetness. The massage itself is simple. Once you wash and stem the kale, dress it and start rubbing the leaves together.
Think of yourself as Sven the Swedish deep-tissue masseur and go to town on those leaves. After a couple minutes the kale should have submitted to your brutal, bone-breaking power and will have turned into delicate, dark green and tender foliage. Massaged kale obviously makes a great base for salad, but you can also add some to sandwiches, stir-fries, even pesto. Directions: 1. In a large bowl, dress kale with lemon juice and olive oil onto kale leaves and add a pinch or two of sea salt.
Add anything you like: fruits, veggies, cooked or sprouted grains and legumes, nuts and seeds. Get creative. Truly appreciate the way you made this wonderful recipe. Everything is so nicely described that really helped me. Oh how I just love kale. It is growing in abundance at the moment in Ireland and I have been filling myself with the stuff, cannot get enough. I have never had grapes with kale before, will try this out.
Nothing like a good massage! Hey Sarah. Or will this dressing be ok without poppy seeds? You have a way with words. Excellent work! Massage Table. Hi Sarah โ I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how popular your massaged kale salad has become in my wee corner of the world.
