How to Cook Kale Perfectly: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Clean and Prepare: First, wash your kale clean of any dirt or debris. I usually run it under cold water for a minute. Then, tear or chop into bite-sized pieces. This is way faster than using a knife, I've found!
2. Massage it!: Yes, you read that right! Massage the kale with the olive oil and salt for about 1-2 minutes. This helps tenderize the leaves. Trust me, it makes a huge difference in the texture.
3. Sauté Time: Put the olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add in the kale. If you want garlic, throw that in at this time too. Let it sauté about 5-7 minutes until it begins to get wilted and tender, without burning. The trick is just to do it low and slow.
4. Season and Serve: Season with black pepper to taste. Of course, you can add any other spices at this point, such as red pepper flakes or a pinch of smoked paprika! I am always experimenting. Then, serve immediately! You can enjoy as a side dish or throw it into a salad.