Shaved Kale Apple Walnut Bowl (Printable)
Shredded kale with apples, toasted walnuts and maple dressing for a bright, crunchy vegetarian salad.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salad
01 - 6 cups kale leaves, stems removed and finely shredded
02 - 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
04 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries
05 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
06 - 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced
→ Maple Dressing
07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How-To Steps:
01 - Add walnuts to a dry skillet set over medium heat. Stir frequently and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the nuts are aromatic and lightly browned. Remove from the pan and allow to cool.
02 - Place shredded kale in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and add a pinch of salt. Using your hands, massage the kale for 1 to 2 minutes until the leaves are tender and deepen in color.
03 - Add sliced apples, cooled toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, crumbled feta cheese if desired, and red onion to the bowl with the kale.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour the maple vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
06 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This salad secretly lets you sneak in loads of kale without anyone realizing just how much they're eating.
- It's the ideal mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy–I now make it for every last-minute lunch and potluck.
02 -
- If you skip massaging the kale, the salad can taste tough and bitter–take the extra minute.
- Toasting the walnuts right before serving keeps them from getting soggy and bland.
03 -
- Run cold water over kale after shredding to keep colors bright before massaging.
- Reserve a spoonful of toasted walnuts to sprinkle on top for the perfect last bite crunch.