Ingredients
Kale
- 2 Bunches Curly Kale
Salad Toppings
- 1 Cup Croutons
- 1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced or crushed
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Kale: Remove and discard the stems from the curly kale leaves. Thoroughly wash the leaves under cold water to clean, then place them in a large bowl.
- Massage the Kale: Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of sea salt over the kale. Using your hands, massage the salt into the kale leaves for 1-2 minutes until the leaves soften and become tender.
- Add Croutons: Chop or crush the croutons into smaller pieces and add them directly to the bowl with the kale.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until fully blended.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the kale and croutons. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything thoroughly to combine and evenly coat the salad with the dressing.
- Serve or Store: Serve the salad immediately for best texture and flavor, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Notes
- Massaging the kale is key to softening the tough leaves and enhancing texture.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese delivers better flavor than pre-grated varieties.
- Use fresh garlic to give the dressing a vibrant and pungent taste.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be stored chilled for a couple of days.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
