Winter Kale Salad
If kale were a person, I feel like I broke up with it a couple of years ago and just recently we kissed and made up. I'll admit, kale was getting a little too big for it's britches and I became so incredibly over it. Kale this, kale that. Enough already, kale!
But lately, I have to admit, I'm back on the kale train. And we're going strong!
It's been fun incorporating kale into a variety of different foods to shake it up so I don't get bored of it again. Because when kale is done right, it can be super delish. Just recently it was the star in this stunning hash, and it blew me away with this quick braising technique.
So naturally, I had to test out a simple salad recipe next.
Kale is hearty and perfectly bitter for this salad of bold, wintry flavors. But the star of the salad isn't the kale at all. It's the dressing!
My "famous" dressing is bright, savory and chock full of fresh garlic. In fact, when we first started dating, Cole didn't even like dressing on his salad. I know. So essentially he ate his salad bare. Like eating leaves. I should've broken things off then and there.
But luckily for us, I made him try my salad dressing and he's been hooked on it ever since. My "famous" dressing has been converting non-dressing lovers since 2011, so you know it's good!
Some tart dried cranberries, tangy, salty feta and toasted pecans don't hurt either. This salad is the perfect addition to any lunch or dinner spread!
Winter Kale Salad
Ingredients
1 large bunch of kale (if you can find it, use lacinato! Though, I'll admit I didn't have it on hand when I made it this time)
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped
Dressing
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed and smashed into a paste-like consistency
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Add garlic, dijon, honey, balsamic, salt and pepper in the bottom of large bowl (the bowl you'll use to toss the salad. Why waste another bowl??) Whisk together to combine. Gradually add olive oil to emusify dressing. Taste for seasoning.
Add kale, cranberries, feta and pecans and toss to coat. Serve!
