Shaved Kale Orange Almond Bowl (Printable)
Fresh kale, oranges, and toasted almonds with homemade citrus dressing for a vibrant, healthy meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salad
01 - 6 cups (about 7 oz) curly kale, stems removed, finely shredded
02 - 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/3 cup (about 1.2 oz) sliced almonds, toasted
05 - 1/4 cup (about 1.2 oz) crumbled feta cheese (optional)
06 - 1/4 cup (about 0.7 oz) pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)
→ Citrus Dressing
07 - 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) freshly squeezed orange juice
08 - 2 tablespoons (1 fl oz) lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place the shredded kale in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 2–3 minutes until it softens and turns a vibrant deep green color.
02 - Add the orange segments, sliced red onion, and toasted almonds to the massaged kale. If using, scatter crumbled feta and pomegranate seeds over the top.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and honey until well blended. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is fully emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Pour the citrus dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The massaged kale technique transforms tough leaves into something tender and almost buttery without any cooking.
- This entire salad comes together in fifteen minutes flat, which means it is perfect for those nights when you want real food but cannot be bothered to turn on the stove.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad until the very last minute or the kale will wilt and lose that satisfying crunch that makes this dish so addictive.
- I once tried skipping the massaging step and ended up with a bowl of chewy unyielding greens that nobody wanted to finish, so learn from my mistake and take those three minutes.
03 -
- To toast almonds perfectly every time, use a dry skillet over medium heat and stir constantly for three to four minutes until they are fragrant and lightly golden, then immediately transfer them to a plate so they stop cooking from residual heat.
- The secret to perfectly segmented oranges is to cut away all the white pith first with a sharp knife, then slice between the membranes to release each segment cleanly without any bitter membrane attached.