Shockingly Addictive Citrus-Massaged Kale Salad

Monday, July 8, 2013

Since I always hate the next "hot, new thing!!!" on principle, it took me a while to start liking kale (ditto quinoa.) But ever since I silenced my inner Scrooge, I've been making up for lost time with this splendid leafy green.

Massaged kale salad with homemade dried cherries, toasted almonds and Parmesan cheese by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

What the hell was I thinking?! This citrus-massaged kale salad is SO GOOD! I even love the way it smells. Have you ever leaned over the cutting board and given some freshly-cut kale a good sniff? Kale's got a really unique smell - it's rich and earthy and fresh and mineral-like and just makes me think "green."

Kale in the salad spinner by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

Although I enjoy kale prepared in many ways, this is by far my favorite at the moment. I actually find myself thinking about it at random moments and craving it. I haven't felt this way about a salad since I was introduced to this one a few years ago. I didn't think I could ever love like that again. I was wrong...

The recipe was inspired by a similar salad my friend, Kali, made a couple months back when she and her husband invited us to their gorgeous home for dinner. I loved it then and I love it even more now that it's kale season again.

Squeezing lemon onto the chopped kale by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

The main idea here is to "massage" thinly-cut kale with lemon juice and olive oil. Rubbing it with the acid and the oil makes it softer and easier to chew and just generally helps it to relax since the life of a vegetable can be so stressful!

Massaging the sh#t out of some kale by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

I add a little maple syrup to counter all the sourness of the lemon, some dried cherries, cranberries or currants to provide some pops of sweetness, toasted nuts for crunch and substance and fresh Parmesan cheese provides the salty goodness that ties the whole thing together.

Toasted almonds by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

It's pretty incredible. And probably pretty good for you, too, though I have to admit that health always takes a back seat to taste in my cooking.

Massaged kale salad with homemade dried cherries, toasted almonds and Parmesan cheese by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

The recipe below is not hard and fast in its proportions - it's all open to interpretation based on your tastebuds - the main thing is to soften the kale up using some acid - you can use lemon juice or vinegar, any kind of dried fruit, any kind of nuts (or omit them if you prefer), etc., etc. No need to feel boxed in here. Try it and let me know if you find it as addictive as I do.

-- print recipe --Massaged Kale Salad with Toasted Nuts, Dried Cherries & Parmesan
Serves 4

Ingredients

* 2 bunches of kale (about 1 lb), rinsed and dried, center ribs and stems removed, leaves thinly sliced crosswise
* Juice of 2-3 lemons
* 2 Tbsps olive oil
* 2 Tbsps maple syrup or honey
* 1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts or almonds
* 1/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries or currants
* 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheeses plus some bigger shavings to top the salad with
* Sea salt to taste
* Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place the thinly sliced kale in a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice and olive oil (add more of either thing if you feel like there's not enough to cover everything.) Massage the mixture with your fingers until all of the kale is well-coated and looks a bit darker in color. Let sit for a half hour (or not, if you're in a hurry!)

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss to coat. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Top with the shaved cheese and serve.

You might also like:

Want even more recipes, photos, giveaways, and food-related inspiration? "Like" the Garden of Eating on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest.

6 comments:

Cary said...

This looks maaaaaarvelous (hear Billy Crystal :))! Have everything in stock, kale out in garden. Thanks for my new favorite salad :)!

Unknown said...

I love kale salads, but I agree, the trendiness of kale turns me off a bit. We were at a bar/restaurant in Brooklyn with some friends the other night and almost everything on the menu had kale in it. And if it didn't have kale, you could add it (kale grilled cheese--that came with a side of kale!)It gets a bit ridiculous--even if kale is super-delicious. I can't wait to try out this salad though.

Eve Fox said...

Wow, Sam! Kale grilled cheese with a side of kale... But I guess it makes sense since Brooklyn is the epicenter of hip/trendy these days.

Phoenix said...

Since I have never been 'in fashion' I guess I was just ahead of my time, since I developed my addiction to kale about 20 years ago ;-)
I must admit the 'trend' has introduced me to the concept of massaged salads, however, which is a great new addition to my kale inhaling proclivities, and this on has just jumped to the top of the list of 'to make'. If I hadn't just finished dinner I would be making it tonight! Sounds absolutely yummy! ;-)

With Brio said...

Plus it's just fun to tell people that you massage your kale. It elicits pretty funny looks ;)

Anonymous said...

This salad is fabulous! I've made it several times now. My kids INHALE it and they aren't all generally so loving of their veggies, especially one of rough and green as kale. A definite winner here in our house. Thanks for sharing!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Shockingly Addictive Citrus-Massaged Kale Salad

Since I always hate the next "hot, new thing!!!" on principle, it took me a while to start liking kale (ditto quinoa.) But ever since I silenced my inner Scrooge, I've been making up for lost time with this splendid leafy green.

Massaged kale salad with homemade dried cherries, toasted almonds and Parmesan cheese by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

What the hell was I thinking?! This citrus-massaged kale salad is SO GOOD! I even love the way it smells. Have you ever leaned over the cutting board and given some freshly-cut kale a good sniff? Kale's got a really unique smell - it's rich and earthy and fresh and mineral-like and just makes me think "green."

Kale in the salad spinner by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

Although I enjoy kale prepared in many ways, this is by far my favorite at the moment. I actually find myself thinking about it at random moments and craving it. I haven't felt this way about a salad since I was introduced to this one a few years ago. I didn't think I could ever love like that again. I was wrong...

The recipe was inspired by a similar salad my friend, Kali, made a couple months back when she and her husband invited us to their gorgeous home for dinner. I loved it then and I love it even more now that it's kale season again.

Squeezing lemon onto the chopped kale by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

The main idea here is to "massage" thinly-cut kale with lemon juice and olive oil. Rubbing it with the acid and the oil makes it softer and easier to chew and just generally helps it to relax since the life of a vegetable can be so stressful!

Massaging the sh#t out of some kale by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

I add a little maple syrup to counter all the sourness of the lemon, some dried cherries, cranberries or currants to provide some pops of sweetness, toasted nuts for crunch and substance and fresh Parmesan cheese provides the salty goodness that ties the whole thing together.

Toasted almonds by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

It's pretty incredible. And probably pretty good for you, too, though I have to admit that health always takes a back seat to taste in my cooking.

Massaged kale salad with homemade dried cherries, toasted almonds and Parmesan cheese by Eve Fox, the Garden of Eating blog, copyright 2013

The recipe below is not hard and fast in its proportions - it's all open to interpretation based on your tastebuds - the main thing is to soften the kale up using some acid - you can use lemon juice or vinegar, any kind of dried fruit, any kind of nuts (or omit them if you prefer), etc., etc. No need to feel boxed in here. Try it and let me know if you find it as addictive as I do.

-- print recipe --Massaged Kale Salad with Toasted Nuts, Dried Cherries & Parmesan
Serves 4

Ingredients

* 2 bunches of kale (about 1 lb), rinsed and dried, center ribs and stems removed, leaves thinly sliced crosswise
* Juice of 2-3 lemons
* 2 Tbsps olive oil
* 2 Tbsps maple syrup or honey
* 1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts or almonds
* 1/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries or currants
* 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheeses plus some bigger shavings to top the salad with
* Sea salt to taste
* Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place the thinly sliced kale in a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice and olive oil (add more of either thing if you feel like there's not enough to cover everything.) Massage the mixture with your fingers until all of the kale is well-coated and looks a bit darker in color. Let sit for a half hour (or not, if you're in a hurry!)

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss to coat. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Top with the shaved cheese and serve.

You might also like:

Want even more recipes, photos, giveaways, and food-related inspiration? "Like" the Garden of Eating on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest.

6 comments:

Cary said...

This looks maaaaaarvelous (hear Billy Crystal :))! Have everything in stock, kale out in garden. Thanks for my new favorite salad :)!

Unknown said...

I love kale salads, but I agree, the trendiness of kale turns me off a bit. We were at a bar/restaurant in Brooklyn with some friends the other night and almost everything on the menu had kale in it. And if it didn't have kale, you could add it (kale grilled cheese--that came with a side of kale!)It gets a bit ridiculous--even if kale is super-delicious. I can't wait to try out this salad though.

Eve Fox said...

Wow, Sam! Kale grilled cheese with a side of kale... But I guess it makes sense since Brooklyn is the epicenter of hip/trendy these days.

Phoenix said...

Since I have never been 'in fashion' I guess I was just ahead of my time, since I developed my addiction to kale about 20 years ago ;-)
I must admit the 'trend' has introduced me to the concept of massaged salads, however, which is a great new addition to my kale inhaling proclivities, and this on has just jumped to the top of the list of 'to make'. If I hadn't just finished dinner I would be making it tonight! Sounds absolutely yummy! ;-)

With Brio said...

Plus it's just fun to tell people that you massage your kale. It elicits pretty funny looks ;)

Anonymous said...

This salad is fabulous! I've made it several times now. My kids INHALE it and they aren't all generally so loving of their veggies, especially one of rough and green as kale. A definite winner here in our house. Thanks for sharing!