Winter Kale Pecans Cranberries (Printable)

Hearty kale combined with toasted pecans and dried cranberries dressed in a sweet maple vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (about 8 cups), stems removed, leaves finely chopped
02 - 1 cup pecan halves
03 - 3/4 cup dried cranberries
04 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
06 - 1 medium apple, thinly sliced

→ Maple Vinaigrette

07 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecan halves for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
02 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 1-2 minutes until the leaves become tender and slightly darker.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - Add toasted pecans, dried cranberries, red onion, feta cheese (if using), and apple slices to the massaged kale.
05 - Pour the maple vinaigrette over the salad and toss thoroughly to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or let sit for 10 minutes to meld flavors.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The massaging trick transforms tough kale into silky tender greens that feel luxurious to eat
  • That maple vinaigrette hits the perfect balance between sweet and sharp making everything sing
02 -
  • Never skip massaging the kale, it is the difference between eating confetti and eating something delicious
  • The salad actually tastes better after sitting for 10 to 15 minutes as the dressing softens the kale further
03 -
  • If you are avoiding nuts, toasted pumpkin seeds make an excellent substitute for pecans
  • Mix the dressing in a small jar and shake vigorously instead of whisking for faster cleanup

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