Winter Kale Salad with Apple and Cheddar (Printable version)

Tender kale massaged with lemon, crisp apples, sharp cheddar, toasted nuts, and tangy maple-Dijon dressing for a hearty winter bowl.

# Ingredient list:

→ Vegetables & Fruits

01 - 1 large bunch kale (about 7 ounces), stems removed, leaves chopped
02 - 1 large crisp apple such as Honeycrisp or Fuji, cored and thinly sliced
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 lemon, juiced

→ Cheese & Nuts

05 - 3.5 ounces sharp white cheddar, cut into small cubes or thin strips
06 - 2.1 ounces toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional

13 - 1.4 ounces dried cranberries or cherries

# Directions:

01 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and pinch of salt. Massage leaves with hands for 1–2 minutes until softened and darkened in color.
02 - In small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Add sliced apple, red onion, cheddar cheese, toasted nuts, and dried cranberries if using to the massaged kale.
04 - Pour dressing over salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or allow to rest 10 minutes for flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The massage technique transforms tough raw kale into something silky and luxurious
  • Its that rare salad that actually keeps well for lunch the next day
  • The sweet sharp salty crunch combination hits every craving at once
02 -
  • Dont skip the kale massage even if you feel silly doing it it completely changes the texture
  • The salad actually improves after sitting for 10 to 15 minutes as the dressing softens the kale further
  • Toast your nuts raw ones can make everything taste a bit flat and bland
03 -
  • Buy already toasted nuts to save a step or toast a big batch on Sunday to use all week
  • If the kale seems especially tough massage it longer rather than adding more dressing

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