You want me to massage what?

I’ll never forget the first time I had a kale salad I actually liked ( it wasn’t bitter and tough). I was working as a host and food runner at the super hip and popular restaurant, Gjelina, in Venice, CA. I found out the secret to the tenderness was massaging it! I laughed at first, but then gave it a try–and they were right! So. Damn. Good. Now I make it all the time and 1 out of 2 kids like it…so I’m calling it a win! It can be a side dish or a main with a protein and is the perfect year round salad. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Basic Massaged Kale Salad

This will become a go-to in your house once you get used to stripping the kale and getting your hands a little dirty. It's so worth it in the end, and makes a delicious creamy salad you can feel good about!

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Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1 bunch Lacinato or Curly Kale Organic if possible (It's on the Dirty Dozen)
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 pinch Kosher or sea salt
• 1/2 lemon (juice only)
• 1 drizzle Extra Virgin olive oil I don't measure, but it may be about 1 tsp

Instructions

 

• Strip stems, chop & rinse the kale.
• Dry kale with salad spinner or paper/cloth towel.
• Once it's dry, place kale in a large mixing bowl & add sea salt, lemon juice, avocado and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Using your hands, massage it all together, squeezing the kale and ingredients well for a couple minutes until it seems tender and thoroughly mixed.
• Give it a taste & add more salt, olive oil or lemon if needed. And for a creamier dressing, add more avocado. Rinse hands and enjoy!

Notes

This is just the base recipe. Feel free to add diced red onion, shredded carrots, bell peppers, nuts/seeds…anything you like!

I love having this salad with turkey burgers and baked sweet potato fries! I also eat it as a main with chicken or tuna.