Garlic Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad (Print Version)

Tender kale meets bright garlic-lemon dressing and salty Parmesan for a refreshing, satisfying bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (approximately 8 cups), stems removed and leaves chopped
02 - 1/2 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
03 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

→ Lemon Garlic Dressing

04 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Cook:

01 - Place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and gently massage the leaves with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and bright green.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the massaged kale and toss thoroughly to coat all leaves evenly.
04 - Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts or almonds over the salad. Toss lightly to distribute ingredients evenly.
05 - Serve immediately, or let the salad sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The kale stays tender for days, so its perfect for make ahead lunches
  • That garlicky lemon dressing wakes up absolutely everything on your plate
  • You can throw whatever nuts or cheese you have on hand into the mix
02 -
  • Massaging the kale isn't optional, it breaks down the tough cellulose and transforms the texture completely
  • The salad actually gets better after sitting for a few hours, the acid softens the kale even more
  • If making ahead, add the nuts right before serving so they stay crunchy
03 -
  • Dry your kale really well after washing, water clinging to the leaves will make your dressing slide right off
  • Use a microplane for the garlic so it practically dissolves into the dressing instead of leaving raw chunks

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