Crispy Kale, Plum, and Ricotta Salad Recipe

Crispy kale redefines an ordinary salad into a vibrant culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds with unexpected textures and bold flavors.

Leafy greens take on a delightful crunch when prepared with precision and care.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and earthy notes.

Seasonal produce elevates this dish from mundane to magnificent, showcasing how simple components can become something extraordinary.

The combination strikes a perfect balance between rustic charm and sophisticated elegance.

Crisp edges of kale contrast beautifully with creamy ricotta, while juicy plums add a surprising twist.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will appreciate this innovative approach to salad making.

Why Kale, Plum & Ricotta Salad Pops with Texture

• Grill Kale to Crispy Perfection: Transform ordinary kale into a delightfully crunchy sensation by grilling or baking, creating an irresistible texture that adds exciting crunch to your salad.
• Quick and Versatile Cooking Method: Enjoy flexibility with two easy cooking techniques- charcoal grilling or oven-baking- that deliver perfectly crisp kale in just minutes, making this recipe super convenient for busy home cooks.
• Flavor-Packed Vinaigrette Harmony: Delight in a sophisticated dressing blending olive oil, vinegar, thyme, and honey that beautifully coats sweet plums and enhances the overall taste profile, creating a balanced and elegant salad experience.
• Elegant Plating with Minimal Effort: Impress dinner guests with a restaurant-worthy dish that looks sophisticated yet requires minimal culinary skills, combining ricotta, crispy kale, and juicy plums for a visually stunning and delicious meal.

What Makes This Salad So Flavor-Packed

• Kale: A nutrient-packed leafy green with robust flavor, perfect for grilling or baking until crispy.

• Plum: Sweet and tangy stone fruit that adds juicy brightness to the salad, best when ripe and slightly firm.

• Ricotta: Creamy, mild cheese that provides a smooth and rich base for the salad.

• Olive Oil, Vinegar: Essential base for creating a light and zesty dressing that ties all ingredients together.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the tangy vinegar and adds depth to the vinaigrette.
• Thyme: Delicate herb that introduces a subtle earthy and aromatic note to the dressing.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile of the salad.

How to Toss the Perfect Crispy Kale Salad

Step 1: Prepare Zesty Vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Vinegar
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Honey

Whisk ingredients together and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Marinate Plums

Toss plum slices in the prepared vinaigrette. Set aside on a separate plate to absorb flavors.

Step 3: Crisp the Kale

Choose your cooking method:

• Heat charcoal or gas grill to medium-high
• Brush kale leaves with olive oil
• Sprinkle with salt
• Grill for 2 minutes, turning once until edges are charred and crispy

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Line baking sheet with foil
• Toss kale leaves with olive oil
• Arrange in single layer
• Bake 5-7 minutes until crispy

Step 4: Prepare Kale

Remove tough center stems from larger kale leaves

Tear larger leaves into bite-sized pieces

Keep smaller leaves whole

Step 5: Assemble Salad

Spread ricotta on serving plates

Season ricotta with salt and pepper

Toss kale leaves with remaining vinaigrette

Arrange kale over ricotta

Top with marinated plum slices

Drizzle extra vinaigrette on top

Serving Suggestion: Enjoy immediately while kale remains crisp and plums are vibrant.

Smart Tips for Mixing Sweet, Creamy, and Crunchy

• Grill with Confidence: Watch kale closely while grilling to prevent burning, aiming for crispy edges without charring completely.
• Stem Smartly: Remove tough center stems from kale for the most tender and enjoyable texture in your salad.
• Ricotta Perfection: Use fresh, high-quality ricotta and season it well to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Plum Selection: Choose ripe but firm plums that will hold their shape when tossed in the vinaigrette for the best visual and taste experience.
• Vinaigrette Versatility: Prepare the dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld and intensify before serving.

Storing Your Kale Salad Without Losing Its Crisp

• Refrigeration: Store leftover kale salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Keep crispy kale, plums, and ricotta in different containers to maintain texture.
• Reheating Kale: Warm crispy kale in a preheated oven at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crunchiness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy leaves.
• Fresh Assembly: When ready to eat, quickly reassemble salad components and drizzle with reserved vinaigrette to revive flavors and maintain original salad's freshness.

Sips and Bites That Go with This Colorful Salad

• Sip Sparkling Summer: Pair this crispy kale salad with a chilled prosecco or dry rosé wine, which will complement the tangy vinaigrette and enhance the plum's sweet notes.
• Cheese Companion Crunch: Serve alongside a crusty sourdough bread or rustic ciabatta to add a delightful textural contrast and help soak up the delicious vinaigrette.
• Fresh Herbal Refresh: Accompany the dish with a light mint or basil-infused iced tea, creating a refreshing counterpoint to the salad's robust flavors and grilled kale.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken or seared salmon as a protein option to transform this salad into a complete, satisfying meal while maintaining its elegant Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Variations for Kale Salad That Keep It Fresh

• Grilled Peach Paradise: Swap plums with grilled peaches for a summer-sweet alternative that caramelizes beautifully on the grill, adding a smoky-sweet dimension to the salad.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace thyme with fresh oregano and mint, then add crumbled feta cheese instead of ricotta for a Greek-inspired version with bold, zesty flavors.
• Roasted Pear Elegance: Use ripe pears roasted with cinnamon and rosemary, substituting ricotta with creamy goat cheese to create a sophisticated autumn-inspired salad with warm, rich undertones.
• Citrus Kale Crunch: Incorporate orange segments and a citrus-based vinaigrette made with fresh lemon and orange juice, adding toasted almond slivers for extra texture and nutty complexity.

Crispy Kale, Plum, and Ricotta Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Summer’s culinary gem, crispy kale, plum, and ricotta salad, delivers a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of textures and flavors. Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a light yet satisfying dish perfect for warm afternoons when fresh produce calls you to the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 large or 16 small curly kale leaves
• 4 medium plums, halved, pitted, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup fresh ricotta

Dressing Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by combining olive oil, vinegar, thyme, and honey in a medium mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile. Gently coat plums in the dressing and set aside on a separate plate.
2. Prepare the kale for grilling or roasting. If using a grill, create a medium-hot fire or set a gas grill to high temperature. Lightly brush kale leaves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
3. Grill the kale, carefully turning once, until edges become crispy and slightly charred, approximately 2 minutes. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 400°F and arrange oiled kale leaves in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.
4. Allow grilled or roasted kale to cool slightly. Remove tough center stems using a sharp knife, trimming smaller stems as needed. Tear larger leaves into bite-sized pieces, keeping smaller leaves intact.
5. Distribute ricotta evenly among serving plates, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
6. Whisk the vinaigrette once more to recombine ingredients. Toss kale leaves in a large bowl with a portion of the dressing, ensuring even coating.
7. Artfully arrange dressed kale leaves on top of the seasoned ricotta. Strategically place marinated plums over the kale.
8. Finish the dish by drizzling remaining vinaigrette over the salad, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Notes

• Grilling kale transforms its texture, creating a crispy, charred delicacy that adds unexpected crunch to the salad.
• Removing tough center stems ensures a more tender and enjoyable eating experience with each bite.
• Seasoning ricotta with salt and pepper elevates the creamy base, providing a rich, savory foundation for the salad.
• Tossing kale leaves in vinaigrette before plating helps distribute flavors evenly and coat each leaf perfectly.
• Ripe plums bring a sweet and tangy element that beautifully complements the crispy kale and creamy ricotta.
• Versatile recipe allows for both grilling and oven-baking methods, making it accessible for different cooking setups.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 15mg