I thought I would offer up one of my favorite go-to kale salad recipes. This recipe also works with chou vert and mustard greens. As with any raw kale salad, the key is the massage! Don’t leave this part out or else the greens will be too tough and unpleasant to eat.
Raw Kale Salad with Tomatoes & Radish
serves 3-4
1 large bunch of kale, collards or mustard greens
2 lemons
medley of cherry tomatoes (I like the colorful variety best)
radish (any type; black radish adds a spice)
olive oil
salt
pepper
1. Carefully clean the greens leaves one leaf at a time under cold water removing any dirt residue.
2. Cut each leaf horizontalley at the point where the green’s stem becomes to thick.
3. Vertically cut the piece with the larger stem one each side so you can add the “good” part of the greens so you are left with the top half.
4. Put together all of the leafy parts of greens and chop into smaller 1/2 inch pieces.
4. Put together all of the leafy parts of greens and chop into smaller 1/2 inch pieces.
5. Place the kale in a larger bowl and squeeze one-half lemon. Add a drizzle of olive-oil (start with a tablespoon). Add salt and pepper to taste. You can add more lemon or olive oil later depending on your preference.
6. THE KEY PART! The Kale Massage. As my cousin’s friend once told me, “Who wouldn’t want a good kale massage”? You must work the greens with your hands and massage in the lemon juice, olive oil and salt. This softens the greens and helps absorb the juices. It’s a crucial step. This can be done for a few minutes.
7. Slice the cherry tomatoes in-half and thinly slice the radish. You can set the salad in the fridge if you want it chilled although it is fine room temperature. If you’re like me, try not to eat it all right away!
What are your favorite kale salad toppings?
Daisy de Plume says
A fave kale salad topping is chopped roasted walnuts. I always love the woody taste of roasted walnuts. Great foodie photos, by the way!
kristen says
Yum! Sounds delish and when we have kale, we can try all the toppings possible!