Steaming Curly Kale: The Ultimate Guide

Curly kale is a leafy green vegetable and a member of the cabbage family. It has crinkly leaves and a strong, distinct flavour. When it comes to cooking curly kale, steaming is one of the most popular methods. Steaming kale is a quick and easy way to prepare this nutritious vegetable, and it can be seasoned with just a pinch of salt and pepper, or dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. The process of steaming kale involves placing the kale in a steamer basket over simmering water for around 3 to 10 minutes, until it is tender and bright green.

How to cook curly kale by steaming

Curly kale preparation

Now you are ready to steam the kale. Fill a steamer, saucepan, or pot with 1-2 inches of water and place it over medium-high heat. Place the kale in a steamer basket, colander, or sieve and place it over the simmering water. Cover with a lid and let the kale steam until tender and cooked through, about 3 to 10 minutes. Make sure to toss the kale halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once the kale is done, remove it from the steamer with tongs. Shake off any excess water, then transfer it to a large bowl. You can now season the kale with a squeeze of lemon or citrus of your choice, along with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt, to taste.

Steamer setup

To steam curly kale, you'll need to set up a steamer. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Choose a steamer basket that fits comfortably inside a large saucepan or pot. Ensure the basket has enough holes or slits to allow steam to pass through.
• Fill the bottom of the saucepan or pot with water. The amount of water can vary, but it should be enough to steam the kale without boiling dry. Aim for about one to two inches of water.
• Place the steamer basket inside the saucepan or pot, ensuring it sits above the water level.
• Prepare the curly kale by removing the leaves from the stem. You can do this by holding the base of the stalk and using a sharp knife to follow the stalk down, stripping the leaves. Alternatively, lay the leaf flat and cut along the sides of the stem.
• Wash the kale leaves thoroughly in cold water, then spin or shake them dry.
• Cut or tear the kale into bite-sized pieces. Some recipes recommend shredding the kale into thin slices or 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and better flavour absorption.
• Place the prepared kale into the steamer basket. Make sure it is spread out evenly and not overcrowded.
• Place the saucepan or pot over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a full boil.
• Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam. This will help create a moist, hot environment to tenderise the kale.
• Let the kale steam until it is tender and cooked through. This usually takes around 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired doneness and the type of kale.

Once the kale is steamed to your liking, you can season it with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or other desired ingredients. Enjoy your freshly steamed curly kale as a nutritious and tasty side dish!

Cooking time

Curly kale is a leafy green vegetable that is a part of the cabbage family. It is best cooked by boiling or steaming.

To steam curly kale, start by removing the leaves from the stem. You can do this by laying the leaf flat on a cutting board and cutting along the sides of the stem to remove the leaves. Alternatively, you can fold the leaf in half and then cut away the stem. Once you have removed the stems, tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Wash the leaves thoroughly in cold water and dry them by shaking or spinning.

The next step is to prepare the steamer. Fill a large saucepan or pot with one to two inches of water and place it over medium-high heat. Place the kale into the steamer basket and cover it with a lid. Let the kale steam until it is tender and cooked through, which should take about 3 to 10 minutes. It is important to toss the kale halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once the kale is cooked to your liking, remove it from the steamer basket using tongs. You can then season the kale with a squeeze of lemon or citrus, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sea salt, to taste. Serve the kale immediately.

The cooking time for steaming curly kale is relatively short, ranging from 3 to 10 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the desired doneness of the kale, with shorter cooking times resulting in al dente kale and longer cooking times producing more tender leaves. Additionally, the volume of kale will reduce significantly during cooking, so it is important to keep this in mind when determining the amount to cook.

Seasoning

Curly kale can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for seasoning steamed kale:

• Salt and pepper
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Red pepper flakes
• Minced garlic
• Soy sauce
• Feta cheese
• Lime juice
• Apple
• Cherry tomatoes
• Aged cheese
• Chicken broth
• Crushed tomatoes
• Chicken broth
• Nutmeg
• Bacon
• Ham hocks
• Baking soda
• Sausage
• Sugar
• Mustard
• Butter
• Milk
• Onion
• Paprika
• Gochugaru
• Za'atar
• Nutritional yeast
• Garlic powder
• Cheese powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon
• Red pepper flakes
• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Chicken broth
• Crushed tomatoes
• Nutmeg
• Bacon
• Ham hocks
• Baking soda
• Sausage
• Sugar
• Mustard
• Butter
• Milk
• Onion
• Paprika
• Gochugaru
• Za'atar
• Nutritional yeast
• Garlic powder
• Cheese powder

Serving suggestions

Steamed kale is a versatile side dish that can be seasoned and served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions for steamed curly kale:

Seasonings and Condiments

A squeeze of lemon or a dash of citrus juice can add a tangy freshness to steamed kale. You can also season it with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. For a more complex flavour profile, try adding some ground nutmeg or crushed red pepper flakes.

As a Side Dish

Steamed kale is a delicious accompaniment to a bold, red wine gravy-based game, meat, or bean stew. It also pairs well with saucy, cheesy dishes like lasagna and flaky baked salmon. For a heartier option, try serving it with pork chops or a meat or bean stew.

In a Salad

Steamed kale can be finely chopped and tossed with raw, tender kale leaves, finely shredded raw leek, and grated apple in a lemon vinaigrette. This crunchy, bold winter salad can be sprinkled with toasted walnuts and seasoned with freshly ground black pepper.

As a Filling

Finely chopped steamed kale can be mixed with cooked brown rice or pearl barley, toasted pine nuts, and grated Parmesan or vegan cheese. This mixture can then be used as a filling for baked Portobello mushrooms.

With Eggs

Leftover steamed kale can be tossed into a breakfast scramble for a quick and nutritious morning meal.

With Other Vegetables

Steamed kale can be paired with other vegetables, such as baked or roasted root vegetables, or potatoes.

As a Topping

Tray-baked kale leaves make a healthy, crunchy topping for salads, soups, rice, and pasta dishes. Simply preheat your oven to 150°C, line a baking tray with parchment paper, and toss the kale in a small amount of sunflower oil. Sprinkle with a mixture of smoked salt, ground black pepper, and ground cumin, then bake for 25-30 minutes until crisp.

These suggestions provide a range of creative ways to serve and enjoy steamed curly kale, showcasing its versatility and nutritional benefits.

Frequently asked questions