Description
A vibrant and nutritious kale salad featuring a fresh lemon dressing, crunchy broccoli florets, nuts, seeds, and a hint of sweetness from dried cranberries. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or side dish, combining tenderized kale with a zesty, tangy dressing that enhances every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups chopped kale
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, or substitute shredded cheddar)
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Lemon Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: Combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a lidded mason jar. Shake well to emulsify the ingredients into a smooth dressing. Taste by dipping a kale leaf and adjust the sweetener, salt, or pepper according to your preference for sweetness or tartness.
- Massage the Kale: Place the chopped kale in a large bowl, add 1-2 teaspoons olive oil and a pinch of salt. Using your fingers, rub and massage the kale until the leaves darken slightly and become tender, enhancing the texture and flavor of the kale for the salad.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: To the massaged kale, add the chopped broccoli florets, sliced almonds, crumbled feta cheese (or shredded cheddar), shredded carrot, diced red onion, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to blend the ingredients.
- Toss with Dressing: Shake the dressing one more time to remix, then pour about one-third of it over the salad mixture. Toss everything to coat evenly. Add more dressing as desired to reach your preferred flavor balance.
Notes
- Optional: Add poppy seeds to the salad dressing to introduce a lemon poppyseed vibe for extra flavor.
- Nutritional values do not include optional cheese or any substitutions.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the amount of honey or sugar to suit your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of salad)
- Calories: 334
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 315mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
