This flavor-packed massaged kale salad is the ideal make-ahead fall/winter salad that's perfect as a light meal or side. (Keep this in mind for the holidays!)
Prep time: PT25M
Rating
5 stars (20 reviews)
Ingredients
1/3 cup pepitas
1 large bunch curly kale, (center ribs removed and very finely chopped (lacinato kale is also great!))
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ((about 1 large lemon))
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Categories
Salad
Side Dish
Steps
Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. (Do not add any fat to the pan!) When hot, add the pepitas and toast, shaking the pan occasionally, for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Transfer to a plate or bowl to cool.
Add the kale to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with a good pinch of salt. Massage the kale in handfuls—literally rub the leaves between your fingers—for a minute or two, until the leaves soften and darken in color. (Yes, I know giving your salad a rubdown is a little weird, but it’s worth it. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.)
In a medium bowl, whisk all of the ingredients for the dressing. Add the apple to the dressing and toss to coat. (The lemon juice in the dressing will help prevent the apples from browning in the salad.)
Add the apple, dressing, Brussels sprouts, raisins, and cooled pepitas to the bowl with the kale and toss to combine. Taste and season with a little extra salt, pepper, or lemon if needed. Serve at room temperature.
Reviews
Lindsay on 2024-11-03 (5 stars): Made this for a BBQ potluck and it got rave reviews!
Leah Jones on 2023-02-17 (5 stars): This salad is delicious! Depth of flavor, but also light and refreshing taste. Kept well in the fridge too! A repeat for sure!
Katie on 2022-09-04 (5 stars): Have been making this all summer and had to come back to give it five stars. Truly love that you can make ahead and it almost makes it better. Has been great to eat at home but most importantly to bring to other peoples houses and make them think I know what I’m doing in the kitchen. No sad soggy salads over here.
Allison Irwin on 2022-03-23 (5 stars): This salad is excellent and we enjoy whenever we entertain our family.
Holly on 2022-03-23 (5 stars): The best! Make this at least once a week and keeps so well in the fridge. Great for meal prep!
Emily on 2022-03-22 (5 stars): Seriously so good. I’ve made it over and over
Colleen on 2022-03-22 (5 stars): Great make ahead salad…perfect weekday lunch option
Beth C on 2022-01-08 (5 stars): Made this tonight… it’s delicious! I love the dressing and will save it for just a general salad dressing for everyday use. So good! I replaced the golden raisins with dried cranberries since I had those in the pantry.. they worked great.
Caren on 2021-11-26 (5 stars): Enjoyed with our Thanksgiving feast. Salad was enjoyed by all!
Katherine Sheeleigh on 2021-11-14 (5 stars): This recipe is amazing! So delicious & healthful!
I love both of your cookbooks so much, they have pushed my Ina Garten collection to the 2nd shelf!
Thanks, keep the great food suggestions coming.
KHS