Warm Kale Maple Mustard (Printable Version)

Tender massaged kale tossed with warm maple-mustard dressing, toasted nuts, and dried cranberries for a vibrant comforting bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (about 8 cups, stems removed, leaves torn)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries
05 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Maple Mustard Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
09 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
10 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
13 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Place the kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Massage the kale for 2-3 minutes until it becomes vibrant green and tender.
02 - In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and salt. Once combined and just warm, slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified. Remove from heat.
03 - Pour the warm maple mustard dressing over the massaged kale and toss to coat thoroughly.
04 - Add the dried cranberries, toasted pecans or walnuts, and sliced red onion. Toss gently.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Top with crumbled feta cheese, if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm dressing softens kale perfectly without wilting it into sadness
  • It comes together in 20 minutes but tastes like you thought about it all week
  • The sweet and tangy balance makes people actually get excited about salad
02 -
  • Massaging kale is not optional, it transforms the texture from eating a green sweater to something that feels like salad
  • The dressing should be warm, not hot, because you want to wilt the kale slightly without cooking it
  • Serve this immediately because the kale continues to soften as it sits and can get too limp after a few hours
03 -
  • Use your hands for the massage step, you can feel exactly when the kale transforms from tough to tender
  • Taste a kale leaf after massaging to make sure it is pleasant before adding the dressing
  • The feta is optional but honestly makes the whole thing feel more complete and balanced
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