Kale Salad – The simple yet sophisticated dish that’s taking the culinary world by storm. With its vibrant colors and robust flavors, a kale salad can be a nutritious and delicious addition to your daily meals. Today, I’m going to show you how to create a mouthwatering Simple Kale Salad that not only tastes amazing but also packs a nutritional punch. So, grab your apron and get ready to transform this humble green into a culinary masterpiece!
Ingredients
Salad:
– 4 cups fresh kale leaves, stems removed
– 1/2 apple, thinly sliced
– 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
– 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
– 1/4 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
– 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash (conveniently found frozen at Costco)
Dressing:
– 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
– 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
– 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
Massage the Kale with Olive Oil
Begin by giving your kale some TLC. Tear the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the kale. Gently massage the kale leaves with your hands for about 2-3 minutes until they become tender and vibrant. This step is crucial to enhance the flavor and texture of your salad.
Prepare the Salad Base
Add the thinly sliced apple, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, cooked quinoa, and the roasted butternut squash to the massaged kale in the bowl. These ingredients bring a delightful combination of textures and flavors to your salad.
Create the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. This dressing will infuse your salad with a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory notes.
Toss and Serve
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss everything together. Ensure that the dressing coats each ingredient evenly, allowing the flavors to meld.
Plate and Enjoy
Transfer your Simple Kale Salad to your favorite serving dish. The vibrant colors and fresh aroma will surely whet your appetite. Serve it as a side dish or make it a hearty meal on its own.
In just a few easy steps, you’ve created a kale salad that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This Simple Kale Salad showcases the kale’s earthy flavor and robust texture, complemented by the sweetness of apple, the crunch of pumpkin seeds, and the tartness of dried cranberries. The roasted butternut squash and quinoa add depth and heartiness to the dish, making it a wholesome meal or a fantastic side.
But it doesn’t end there – the homemade dressing, with its delightful blend of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), Dijon mustard, and garlic, ties everything together into a flavor explosion that’s simply irresistible.
This recipe is a testament to the power of simple, fresh ingredients combined with a little culinary finesse. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this Simple Kale Salad will quickly become a favorite in your repertoire. So, why wait? Try it today and savor the goodness of kale in every bite!
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups fresh kale leaves stems removed
- 1/2 apple thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup quinoa cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash conveniently found frozen at Costco
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Tear the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the kale.
- Gently massage the kale leaves with your hands for about 2-3 minutes until they become tender and vibrant.
- Add the thinly sliced apple, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, cooked quinoa, and the roasted butternut squash to the massaged kale in the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss everything together. Ensure that the dressing coats each ingredient evenly, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Transfer your Simple Kale Salad to your favorite serving dish. Serve it as a side dish or make it a hearty meal on its own.
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