Although I am generally a lover of all things green, it wasn’t until recently that I began to truly appreciate one of the most popular leafy greens- KALE!
Kale is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. It is also a source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, manganese, potassium, iron, and the list goes on and on.
After trying out a few recipes, I realized that the key to achieving a delicious kale salad is to give it a simple massage. It may sound odd at first, but those few extra minutes truly make all the difference, allowing for the leaves to break down for easier chewing and digestion and absorb all of the yummy flavors of the dressing.
The following is my favorite basic kale salad recipe. It is super convenient because the hearty-yet-flavorful leaves can be prepped and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week! I love to mix it up with different dressings and toppings, and haven’t found even a slightly bad combination yet. Mix it up to your liking, and enjoy!
Massaged Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 1 bunch lacinato kale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Crunchy chickpeas or toppings of choice
Instructions
- Start by tearing the kale leaves away from their hearty stems. Use your hands to break the leaves down into bite-sized pieces, and place in a large bowl.
- Add olive oil, tahini, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and sea salt to the bowl, and use your hands to massage ingredients into the leaves. Continue to massage the kale for a few minutes, until all leaves are evenly coated and the kale has softened and wilted.
- Enjoy with crunchy chickpeas or your favorite toppings!
