Massaged Kale Salad

Why bother massaging kale?

Raw kale is super fibrous and tough to digest. Massaging it breaks down the tough leaves, transforming them into a smooth, delicate texture. Each leaf will hold more flavor from the salad dressing too.

BEFORE:
Massaged Kale Salad

AFTER:
Massaged Kale Salad

 

MASSAGED KALE SALAD
Makes 4 servings. 

1 bunch kale, any kind
1 teaspoon salt
½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar

DRESSING
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

SALAD ADD-INS
½ cup radishes, thinly sliced
¼ cup carrots, thinly sliced
½ cup apples, chopped into ¼” pieces

  • Wash and dry each kale leaf.
  • Remove the leaf from the stems by holding the stem end in the left hand, while pulling the leaf away with your right hand.
  • Reserve the stems for another meal or make Steam Sautéed Kale Stems.
  • Place all the kale leaves into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt and vinegar.
  • Now you’re going to massage the kale for five minutes. Massage just as you would someone’s shoulders, making sure to break down each piece.
  • Once all the leaves are tender, drizzle in the salad dressing a tablespoon at a time. Taste after each drizzle to get the dressing to your liking.
  • Toss in the salad add-ins.
  • Enjoy!

Massaged Kale Salad

Winter Squash Salad with Mixed Greens & Cranberry Vinaigrette

Throughout the fall/winter I’m partnering with Local Roots NYC to create locally inspired eats. Many of the ingredients used in this recipe are sourced from local farms included in their community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Check out their Fall CSA that provides a weekly pick-up through December 6th! 

1 medium-sized delicata squash
2 tsp coconut oil
½ tsp salt
1 cup lacinato kale – stems removed
1 cup arugula
1 cup radicchio – leaves separated
¼ cup dried cranberries

Cranberry Vinaigrette Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil 
3 ½ tbsp pure cranberry juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp water
2 tsp honey
½ tsp yellow mustard
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
dash of pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Peel squash and slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and set aside. Slice squash into ¼ inch half moons. Toss in 1 teaspoon coconut oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast 10 minutes. Then remove from the oven, flip each piece of squash and cook 5 more minutes.

Toss the squash seeds with the remaining coconut oil and salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast 10 minutes.

Stack the leaves of kale and radicchio flat onto a cutting board. Roll up the leaves into a spiral and slice lengthwise to achieve long, thin ¼ inch strips of the leaves. Toss these with the arugula.

To make the dressing, whisk all ingredients together until fully blended.

Arrange the salad by placing the mixed leaves first, then topping with the roasted squash, seeds and cranberries. Drizzle the dressing evenly over all ingredients. Serve immediately.

Enjoy! Winter Squash Salad with Mixed Greens & Cranberry Vinaigrette

Winter Squash Salad with Mixed Greens & Cranberry Vinaigrette
Serves 6
Roasted delicata squash in a fall/winter salad with lacinato kale, arugula, radicchio and a cranberry vinaigrette.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 medium-sized delicata squash
  2. 2 tsp coconut oil
  3. ½ tsp salt
  4. 1 cup lacinato kale - stems removed
  5. 1 cup arugula
  6. 1 cup radicchio - leaves separated
  7. ¼ cup dried cranberries
  8. CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE DRESSING
  9. 3 ½ tbsp pure cranberry juice
  10. 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  11. 1 tbsp water
  12. 2 tsp honey
  13. ½ tsp yellow mustard
  14. ¼ garlic powder
  15. ½ salt
  16. dash of pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Peel squash and slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and set aside. Slice squash into ¼ inch half moons. Toss in 1 teaspoon coconut oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast 10 minutes. Then remove from the oven, flip each piece of squash and cook 5 more minutes.
  3. Toss the squash seeds with the remaining coconut oil and salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast 10 minutes.
  4. Stack the leaves of kale and radicchio flat onto a cutting board. Roll up the leaves into a spiral and slice lengthwise to achieve long, thin ¼ inch strips of the leaves. Toss these with the arugula.
  5. To make the dressing, whisk all ingredients together until fully blended.
  6. Arrange the salad by placing the mixed leaves first, then topping with the roasted squash, seeds and cranberries. Drizzle the dressing evenly over all ingredients. Serve immediately.
  7. Enjoy!
Sparkle Kitchen https://sparklekitchen.com/
 Winter Squash Salad with Mixed Greens & Cranberry Vinaigrette