Summer Kale Salad (Printable)
Hearty kale tossed with summer fruits, crunchy almonds, and a bright lemon-honey vinaigrette.
# What You 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 Make It:
01 - Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl and massage with a pinch of salt for 1 to 2 minutes until the leaves become tender and vibrant green.
02 - Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, strawberries, blueberries, and diced avocado to the bowl with 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 fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted sliced almonds over the top and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The lemon honey dressing hits that perfect sweet and tart note that makes you want to eat an entire bowl of greens without feeling like you are trying
- It comes together in fifteen minutes flat which means you can actually enjoy your evening instead of standing over a stove
02 -
- If you skip massaging the kale you will end up chewing each bite like a cow and nobody wants that at a dinner party
- Waiting too long to serve means the berries bleed color into the dressing and the avocado starts looking brown and sad
03 -
- Toast your almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for three minutes shaking the pan often until they smell warm and nutty
- Make the dressing in a mason jar so you can shake it, store leftovers in the same jar in the fridge for up to three days