One day last week, I was in no mood to cook anything. Ron volunteered to swing by the grocery store to pick up items to grill. My only request was to bring home some kind of lighter salad from the deli for a side dish. I was shocked when he came home with a kale salad. First of all, shocked that Ron bought anything with kale in it and second that the grocery store he went to had such a thing. Most deli items from that store are mayo with a side of a vegetable. Yuck.
It was love at first taste. I declared that I needed to recreate it. Isn’t real food just so pretty?
A word about kale – I personally don’t like it raw. I love it steamed, as kale chips and in dishes. But raw….ick. It is rather bitter and tastes like eating grass. Not that I’ve ever eaten grass but you know what I mean. A couple of years ago, I learned two secrets to make your kale taste even better:
1. Remove the stems when you plan on eating it raw, the stems are the bitter part of the plant. I used to always use the stems and wonder why my kale salads tasted ridiculously bitter. Now I just use the leaves and the bitter taste is gone.
2. Massage the dressing into the leaves and let it ‘marinate’ for at least 10-15 minutes or longer. A kale salad tastes best when the dressing has had a chance to soak into the leaves. This also helps soften the leaves which is especially important if you are using the curly variety.
When I started using these tips, my kale salads went from bitter and hard to swallow to mind-blowing delicious!
- 2 bunches of kale, stems removed
- 1 cucumber chopped
- ½ of red onion, chopped
- ½ cup Goji berries
- ½ cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- Dressing:
- ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- Place dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk together.
- Place kale in large bowl. Pour dressing over it. Using your hands, massage the dressing into the leaves for 5 minutes.
- Place cucumber, red onion, Goji berries, sunflower seeds and blueberries in with massaged kale.
- Using your hands or with a spoon, gently mix.
- Place in refrigerator to "marinate" for 10-15 minutes or longer for maximum flavor.
The nice thing about this salad is that you can mix in your own variations of superfoods too. Adding diced avocado, walnuts or almonds, pears, apples or any fresh berry you can think of. Serving it alongside salmon, perhaps? Perfection!
That looks so delicious and fresh! Also pretty.:) Thanks for the recipe!
Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete recently posted..Sabotaged and Happy Hammies
WOW I can’t believe your local grocery store had that salad! I just printed it out b/c I can definitely make that and, in the summer I’m always craving salads! And thanks for the tip about removing the stems!!
Allie recently posted..Are You Missing Your Cape? How To Lose It For Good
Thanks so much for this recipe! It looks fabulous, so summery and I’ll definitely be making it 🙂
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted..WIAW – Shortcuts
Yumm, There is something about the Tart Kale and sweet Blueberries that I bet make this salad amazing. I need more Kale in my life right now. Greens!
Renee @ Bendiful Blog recently posted..Power Planks Workout
I love kale and don’t mind the chewyness of it, but you can buy other varities of kale that aren’t that texture and is just as good!!
Perfect summer salad! I still need to master massaging kale, pinning!!
Dieititan Jess recently posted..WIAW West Coast Trip: N. Cali- Redwoods, San Francisco, Sacramento and Sonoma
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it! I will definitely be adding avocado too 🙂
I love kale salads. Whenever my husband sees me making one he always asks, did you massage it? I didn’t know that about the stems though. I always remove them anyway because they’re so thick. And blueberries are a great idea! Just a touch of sweet makes a salad perfect.
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs recently posted..Running Wednesday: My Favorite Tempo Workout
love kale salad! I make a similar one with pom seeds.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted..Transition Tips for Beginner Triathletes
This looks awesome! Our local cafeteria at the hospital where I work has the BEST food (I know that sounds unlikely, but it’s true!) and they always have a variety of kale salads which surprises me…I love them and can’t wait to recreate this one at home! 🙂
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food recently posted..A Weekend Recap…
Can your hospital call my hospital? Cafeteria food…blech!
this is gorgeous! i saw goji berries at tj maxx the other day — i knew i should’ve picked them up.
kristin | W [H] A T C H recently posted..HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
Go back now!
I need this salad in my life! Can you believe that I’ve never had goji berries? Time to try them!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..It’s Time to Lose the Cape
You must!
I love how a little massage makes all the difference with kale. This looks so yummy!!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Lately- Running, Resets and a Bear
This sounds SO good! Pinned it. And blueberries are already popping on my bushes, so it won’t be long until I can put them to use!
misszippy1 recently posted..Take it to the track workout
I can’t wait till our berries are ready either. It’s the best to be able to walk out the back door and pick your own!
I have never heard of Goji berries before! They look fun! I love me some Kale, raw, steamed, chipped, in smoothies…yum! Cant wait to try this!
Goji berries are awesome! Similar to a raisin with more superfood punch.
What a gorgeous and healthy salad!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..8 Tips for Keeping Your Family Hydrated this Summer
Awesome tips for kale! And can’t wait to try the salad recipe!
Just had some kale for lunch too…but I love the idea of adding blueberries in there!
Charissa (@ColourfulPalate) recently posted..What I’m Doing for Two Weeks of the Smoothie Challenge
I WISHHHHHHH I liked KALE! I try so hard to add it into my life, but…. It just never sticks LOL!
GiGi Eats recently posted..Whoopee! It’s an “Oreo”!
Looks delicious, I love kale 🙂
Karen recently posted..Skydiving
so delicious and fresh.
Thanks for the recipe.
Coolsculpting Toronto recently posted..How can I treat excess fat in stubborn areas?