Garlic Lemon Parmesan Kale (Printable)
Fresh massaged kale with zesty garlic-lemon dressing, Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts. Ready in 15 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Base
01 - 1 large bunch (approximately 8 cups) curly kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
02 - 1/2 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
03 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds (optional)
→ 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 pure maple syrup
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Step-by-step:
01 - Place chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and massage leaves with hands for 1-2 minutes until softened and bright green.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until thoroughly emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over prepared kale and toss thoroughly to ensure leaves are evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and pine nuts or almonds over dressed kale. Toss lightly to distribute toppings evenly.
05 - Serve immediately or allow salad to rest for 5 minutes to let flavors meld together.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The massage trick transforms kale from rough to restaurant-quality tender in literally minutes
- The bright garlic lemon combo makes people who swear they hate kale actually ask for seconds
02 -
- Massaging kale is not optional, it breaks down the tough cellulose and transforms the texture completely
- The salad actually improves after sitting for 5 to 10 minutes, so do not stress about serving immediately
03 -
- Use your hands to toss everything together, they are much gentler than tongs and will not bruise the tender leaves
- If the kale seems especially tough or mature, extend the massage time to three full minutes