Massaged Kale Salad
If you’ve ever eaten kale and thought, “This tastes like punishment”, allow me to introduce you to the magical world of massaging your greens. A little rub, a little squeeze, and suddenly this tough leafy situation becomes soft, glossy, and genuinely delicious.
Add a few fun toppings (crunchy bits! sweet bits! cheesy bits!) and a quick tahini dressing, and you’ve just turned a bunch of kale into something you’ll actually go back to again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- A pinch of salt
- Optional extras: toasted seeds, grated parmesan, chopped almonds, avo, cranberries, whatever you fancy
Method
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Rip the kale leaves off the stems and tear into bite-size pieces. Wash and dry them well.
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Pop them into a big bowl, drizzle over the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of salt.
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Now get in there with your hands and massage the kale for about 1–2 minutes. You want it to soften and turn a bit darker and glossy.
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Taste it. If it still feels a bit too “chewy forest”, keep massaging for another minute.
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Add whatever toppings you’re in the mood for and toss to combine.
Tip: Massaged kale keeps really well, so you can make it a few hours ahead and it’ll still be lovely. Add anything delicate (like avo) right before serving.
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NEED SOME INSPIRATION FOR TOPPINGS / DRESSING?
What about some tahini dressing
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- Pinch of salt
- 2–3 tablespoons water to thin
Method
- Whisk everything together in a small bowl, adding the water slowly until it’s silky and pourable. Drizzle over your salad or toss through to coat.