Pioneer Woman Kale Salad Recipe
The Pioneer Woman Kale Salad Recipe is a perfect choice. This salad is full of bright colors. It tastes amazing and feels very light.
Ingredients
- 2 large bunches of fresh kale.
- 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.
- 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts.
- 1/2 cup of dried cranberries.
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Instructions
Prep the Kale
- Wash the kale leaves very well. Remove the thick center ribs. Chop the leaves into thin strips.
Make the Dressing
- Get a small jar or bowl. Mix olive oil and lemon juice. Add the maple syrup and salt. Whisk it until it looks smooth.
Massage the Leaves
- Put the kale in a bowl. Pour half of the dressing over. Rub the leaves with your hands. Do this for three minutes. This makes the kale very soft.
Add the Toppings
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top. Add the toasted pine nuts next. Toss in the sweet dried cranberries.
Final Toss
- Pour the rest of the dressing. Use tongs to mix everything well. Let it sit for ten minutes. This helps the flavors soak in.
Notes
- Always massage the kale. This is the most important step. It removes the bitter taste.
- Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled juice does not taste as good. Fresh juice adds a bright pop.
- Toast your nuts. Put pine nuts in a dry pan. Heat them for two minutes. They will smell wonderful and crunchy.
- Let it rest. This salad tastes better after sitting. The kale softens more over time.
- Add protein. You can add grilled chicken. Chickpeas also work great for vegans.
- Switch the cheese. Try feta or goat cheese instead. Both add a nice creamy texture.