Description
Zesty kale salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with crisp greens and tangy lemon vinaigrette. Fresh ingredients merge into a quick, nutritious meal that delights palates and nourishes bodies with simple, vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
Sweetener:
- 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 milliliters) maple syrup or honey
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
Instructions
- Tear or finely chop fresh kale leaves into bite-sized pieces, transferring them to a spacious mixing bowl.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil (or 30 milliliters) over the kale leaves, then sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Using clean hands, gently massage the kale for 60-90 seconds, which helps soften the leaves and reduce their toughness.
- Scatter crunchy chopped pistachios or pumpkin seeds (or 30 grams) across the massaged kale.
- Introduce sweet golden raisins or dried cranberries (or 20 grams) to add bursts of fruity flavor.
- Generously dust the salad with freshly grated parmesan cheese (or 25 grams) and sprinkle bright lemon zest over the top.
- In a sealed glass jar or small mixing bowl, combine fresh lemon juice (or 45 milliliters), apple cider vinegar (or 15 milliliters), olive oil (or 30 milliliters), maple syrup or honey (or 15 milliliters), a pinch of salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Vigorously shake the jar or whisk the ingredients until the dressing becomes smooth and fully integrated.
- Pour the vibrant dressing over the prepared salad and gently toss to ensure even coating.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or slightly chilled for a refreshing, nutritious side dish.
Notes
- Massage kale briefly to soften tough leaves and reduce bitterness, making the salad more tender and enjoyable.
- Choose between pistachios or pumpkin seeds for added crunch, and swap raisins/cranberries based on personal preference or pantry availability.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese enhances the salad’s flavor profile, providing a salty and rich undertone.
- Prepare dressing in advance and store in a sealed jar for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
- Balance sweet and tangy elements by adjusting maple syrup or honey quantity to suit individual taste preferences.
- Serve immediately after dressing to maintain the salad’s crisp texture and prevent wilting of delicate kale leaves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg