“Wow! this salad tastes great! Is this really Kale?” that’s how I reacted when I ate kale salad at my friend’s house.
I know kale is rich in healthy nutrients but I have never liked it raw as much as I love romaine lettuce, spinach or other salad greens. So far, in my home it is eaten only as chips. I break the kale leaves into small pieces, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle salt and garlic powder and bake till crisp. That was the only way we loved kale. But this pretty tender salad completely surprised me. It is pretty addicting, and perfect to enjoy as a side for lunch or dinner, all year round.
Uploaded video so you can make this kale salad recipe with ease.
At my friend’s house I asked my daughter to try and see if she likes.
“What is it?” ( this is her usual question when anything I ask her to try)
She made that reluctant facial expression when I told her it was Kale. She did not want to try, but after some persuasion she took a spoonful and nodded that she liked it. To be honest with you, I kind of knew that she would like it. The salad tasted really good with mango and pumpkin seeds, and there was no bitterness in the leaves. I asked Cindy how she made it. She said she got the recipe from food network but the massaging technique that actually makes this salad into a delectable salad green, was a typical Asian thing to do to soften any thick coarse leafy greens.
So that very week I brought a bunch of kale and made the salad. The key to make this salad a pleasant eating experience is to massage the kale well with olive oil and salt so that it gets tender. Then you can add in any vegetable or fruit of your choice.
We loved it with baked salmon but this salad is delicious exactly as is.
MASSAGED KALE SALAD ( steps to make this salad in video here)
Ingredients:
1 bunch kale
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1/4 -1/3 cup mango, diced
3″ piece carrot thinly sliced and 2-4 radish, sliced as well
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 avocado, diced
salt and black pepper to taste
Method:
Toast the pumpkin seeds in a pan or in oven (you can even use them raw).
Remove stalks from Kale and tear into bite size pieces.
Rinse the leaves really well. Quick dry in a salad spinner if you have one or just let them dry kitchen towel.
Place kale leaves in a glass bowl.
Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle some salt over it.
With clean hands start massaging the kale leaves. Keep doing this for 2 -5 minutes. The leaves will soften and shrink in volume. Throw away the thin stalks that break while massaging.
Transfer to a serving plate. Add chopped mango, avocado, sliced carrot and radish. Pour lemon juice, season with black pepper. Toss. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve.
Kiri W.
Massaged kale sounds interesting – I actually like kale for what it tastes like, but sometimes combinations with other ingredients make it shine even more. Looks like a lovely dish.
Anne Regalado
Love the name ! Massaged salad ?! hahaha That’s one healthy dish 😉
Ann
LOVE this! What a GREAT idea to massage the oil into the leaves….brilliant! I am SO going to make this one!
Nava.K
Wow!!! I will say yes to this healthy and nutrient salad. You sure know how add flavors into the kale because by its own, kale can be quite flat. That pumpkin seeds and mango boasted added in boasted my appetite right now. As usual, a bowl of white rice to go with it will be perfect.
Umm Mymoonah
Loved all the healthy ingredients into it, perfect and wholesome salad.
Tina
I do like raw kale and the fact that every leaf has some tasty seasoning on it does want me to try it. Delicious and healthy-great post.
Lizzy
Wow, what an interesting technique!!! Thanks for sharing this lovely salad…I really need to buy some kale 🙂
Sandra
This gives a whole new meaning to playing with your food. Very interesting technique and I can’t wait to try it.
Jenny
I have been wanting to use kale lately actually! I just got back from brazil where they eat a lot of it with black bean stew. So healthy but i really love the taste of it! 🙂
Balvinder Ubi
@ To all, Really this salad is a sure one to try.
Pari
Hi! First time in ur space and loved going through ur collection. Have never had Kale but I’m sure it would taste good and has to be healthy. Drop by and check out my space whenever time permits.
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Torviewtoronto
lovely combination looks wonderful
Claudia
I’m never enamored of raw kale – but the avocado and the honey – well it looks like you tamed it! And we do eat kale regularly – so will be giving it a go.
Malli
I saw the foodnetwork show where Aarti Sequoira made the same salad. But i never thought it sould be quite so good as you said. Now, I have to try it out:)
Cucina49
I love the name of this recipe, and I can’t get enough kale myself. What a great-looking salad!
Simply Life
what a fabulous, healthy salad!
Mother Rimmy
I’m a big kale fan. All I need is some mango and I can make this for lunch. Delish!
Now Serving
First time here and love this salad 🙂 Happy I hopped over! following you dear and I hope you will check out my blog as well – cheers, priya
Lauren
All about massaged Kale! This looks fantastic!