Kale salad is a versatile dish that combines the best of both worlds – health and taste. The combination of fresh kale, juicy apples and tart craisins provides a symphony of textures and flavors. Toasted almonds add a delightful crunch, while crumbled feta provides a creamy counterpoint to the crisp greens. The homemade dressing, a blend of olive oil, lemon and a hint of garlic, brings it together with its bright and tangy flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is perfect for a busy weekday lunch or as a side dish for your family dinner. It's a simple yet impressive way to introduce more greens into your diet without compromising on taste.
Component breakdown and replacement
Diving into the heart of our sweet and tangy kale salad, let's explore the ingredients that make this dish special and their versatile options. Whether you're adapting to dietary needs or experimenting with what's in your pantry, this breakdown will guide you in creating a salad that's uniquely yours.
- during: The star of the show said that kale is rich in nutrients and fiber. Both curly or flat-leaf varieties work well.
- apple: Add a natural sweetener; Feel free to use any variation. Pears are a good alternative.
- Croissants: These dried cranberries bring a tangy and chewy texture. Raisins or chopped dates can be used instead.
- Cashew Nuts: Provide crunch and nuts. Substitute with sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
- Feta Cheese: Adds a creamy, salty component. Goat cheese or blue cheese can be used as substitutes, or a plant-based feta cheese as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kale is sometimes blanched to soften the leaves and get rid of their bitterness. While some salad recipes include this extra step, you don't need to worry about it here. For a simply delicious salad dressing, Craisins, almonds, and cheese temper the kale down!
This extra step isn't necessary, but it produces the most tender kale. Remove the kale leaves from the stems and cut into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Massage the kale with your hands for a few minutes or until it softens.
We use curly leaf style kale in this kale salad, but you can also use Tuscan style kale. For both varieties, make sure to cut the stem before cutting the leaves.
We love the homemade salad dressing that goes with this sweet kale salad, but you can always use a different store-bought or homemade dressing. Poppyseed dressing, as we see it Strawberry and Spinach Salad RecipeWill also be absolutely delicious.
Apple Alternatives
Use your favorite variety of apples when making your kale salad. We love Granny Smith and Honeycrisp ourselves, so we use both! Some other apples to choose from include:
- fuji
- The Pink Lady
- Jazz
- empire
You can substitute apples for the pears, or use both for a tasty change!
Nut substitute
Our Kale Crunch Salad gets extra crunch from chopped almonds. That said, you can use:
- pecan
- walnut
- sunflower seeds
Whichever nuts you choose, consider toasting them first. This will add more crunch and flavor to the final result! If you have allergies, you can skip them altogether.
Remember: It's your salad, so feel free to add or take away whatever you want!
problem solving
- Dressing too tight? Add some more sugar to balance it out.
- Salad too dry? Drizzle a little extra olive oil to moisten.
- Very hard times? Make sure it's well-trimmed and consider massaging it with olive oil.
Tips from the chef
- Massage Your Calf: It helps to soften the leaves and reduce bitterness.
- Cut ingredients evenly: This ensures that each bite is balanced in taste and texture.
- Toast the almonds: This intensifies their flavor and adds extra crunch.
Storage instructions
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. We recommend that you store it without dressing to keep it fresh! It will keep for 1-2 days. Any longer and the kale leaves will begin to wilt.
More favorite salad recipes
Watch the video below Where Caytlin walks you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we've always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes YouTube, Facebook Watch, or us facebook pageOr here on our website with their respective recipes.
