Winter Kale Salad Pomegranate (Printable)
A vibrant, nutrient-packed dish featuring crisp kale, juicy pomegranate, roasted nuts, and a tangy citrus dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Greens
01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (approximately 7 ounces), stems removed, leaves chopped
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for massaging)
→ Fruits & Vegetables
03 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 medium pomegranate)
04 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Nuts & Seeds
06 - 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
07 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted
→ Optional
08 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
→ Dressing
09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
11 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
14 - Salt, to taste
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 1–2 minutes until the leaves become darker and noticeably tenderized.
02 - In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
03 - Add the pomegranate seeds, thinly sliced apple, thinly sliced red onion, toasted walnuts or pecans, and toasted pumpkin seeds to the bowl containing the massaged kale. Gently toss all ingredients to combine.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the assembled salad ingredients. Toss well to ensure all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - If desired, sprinkle the salad with crumbled feta or goat cheese. Serve the salad immediately, or for enhanced flavor, chill it for up to 2 hours before serving.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- It's a secret weapon against winter blues, bringing sunshine to your plate even when it's dreary outside.
- You get that satisfying crunch and juiciness without any cooking, making it incredibly quick for a nutritious meal.
02 -
- Don't skip massaging the kale; it truly makes it edible and enjoyable, transforming it from roughage to tender greens.
- Freshly squeezed citrus juice for the dressing makes a world of difference; bottled juice just doesn't deliver the same brightness.
03 -
- To quickly de-seed a pomegranate, cut it in half, hold one half cut-side down over a bowl, and whack the back with a wooden spoon — the seeds will tumble out easily.
- Always toast your nuts and seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant; it elevates their flavor tremendously.