Winter Kale with Pomegranate and Pecans (Print version)
A vibrant winter salad featuring crisp kale, pomegranate seeds, toasted pecans, and tangy citrus vinaigrette.
# What you'll need:
→ Greens
01 - 1 large bunch curly kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
→ Fruits & Nuts
02 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds
03 - 0.75 cup raw pecans
→ Cheese
04 - 2.1 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta, optional
→ Dressing
05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1.5 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 0.25 teaspoon sea salt
11 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional
# How to make it:
01 - Place pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Transfer to a plate to cool.
02 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a pinch of salt and a few drops of olive oil. Massage with your hands for 2-3 minutes until the leaves are darker and softened.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, sea salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Add pomegranate seeds, cooled pecans, and parsley to the kale. Drizzle with the dressing and toss well to combine.
05 - Sprinkle goat cheese or feta over the salad just before serving.
06 - Serve immediately or let rest 10-15 minutes for the flavors to meld.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- The massage technique transforms tough kale into silky, tender greens that even the skeptics at my table cant resist.
- The balance of sweet pomegranate, crunchy toasted pecans, and tangy dressing creates layers of flavor that make this so much more than just a salad.
02 -
- Massaging kale isnt optional, its the secret to transforming it from tough to tender, a lesson I learned after serving unmassaged kale to guests who politely pushed it around their plates.
- This salad actually improves after sitting for 15 minutes, allowing the kale to further soften and the flavors to meld together in a way that elevates the entire dish.
03 -
- To easily remove pomegranate seeds, cut the fruit in half, hold it seed-side down over a bowl, and firmly tap the skin with a wooden spoon, a technique that changed my relationship with this fruit forever.
- Slightly warming your honey or maple syrup before adding to the cold dressing ingredients helps it incorporate more easily, a small detail that prevents having to overmix.