Winter Kale Pomegranate Salad (Printer-Friendly)
Nutrient-rich winter salad featuring tender kale, ruby pomegranate seeds, toasted pecans, and tangy citrus dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Greens
01 - 1 large bunch curly kale, stems removed, leaves chopped
→ Fruit & Vegetables
02 - 1 small pomegranate, seeds only
03 - 1 medium apple, cored and thinly sliced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Nuts & Seeds
05 - ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
→ Cheese (optional)
06 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
→ Dressing
07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
13 - ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How to Make It:
01 - In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecans for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
02 - Place chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage kale with hands for 2 to 3 minutes until leaves are tender and slightly darker.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
04 - Add pomegranate seeds, apple slices, red onion, and toasted pecans to the kale. Pour dressing over and toss well to combine.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top just before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Kale becomes tender and silky when you massage it, not chewy like some people fear.
- The bright citrus dressing wakes up your whole mouth without needing cream or heaviness.
- Pomegranate seeds and pecans add satisfying texture and a touch of luxury that feels special without any real effort.
02 -
- Kale genuinely changes texture when you massage it with oil and salt. Don't skip this or serve raw kale and expect the same result.
- Make the dressing and toss the salad no more than 15 minutes before serving, or the kale will wilt and the apples will brown.
03 -
- Make the dressing in a jar the morning of and shake it before using. It keeps perfectly in the fridge and tastes even better as the flavors meld.
- If you're feeding people with different dietary needs, you can easily omit feta or nuts without losing the soul of the dish, or keep them separate at the table.