Summer Kale Salad (Printable)
Hearty kale tossed with summer fruits, veggies, feta, almonds, and a bright lemon-honey dressing.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables & Greens
01 - 1 large bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
04 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Fruits
05 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
06 - 1/2 cup blueberries
07 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
→ Cheese & Nuts
08 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
09 - 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon honey
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-to Steps:
01 - Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and massage the leaves for 1 to 2 minutes until they become tender and vibrant green.
02 - Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, strawberries, blueberries, and diced avocado to the kale.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted sliced almonds over the top and serve immediately for the best texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It turns tough raw kale into something silky and addictive with just sixty seconds of your hands
- The combination of sweet fruit and salty feta makes people forget they are eating a salad
02 -
- If you skip massaging the kale you will end up chewing each bite for way too long and nobody enjoys that
- Serving it immediately really does matter because the avocado starts to break down and the almonds go soft after about twenty minutes
03 -
- Dry your kale completely after washing because water on the leaves keeps the dressing from sticking properly
- Taste the dressing before pouring it in because lemons vary wildly in acidity and you might need an extra drop of honey