Massaged kale salad with cherries

A raw kale salad in a large white bowl with cherries and pecans mixed in and lemon slices to the side for garnish.

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5 from 4 votes

Massaged kale salad with cherries, pecans and Parmesan is perfect for summertime dinners, parties and picnics!

Prep Time20

Cook Time30

Total Time50

Yield: 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

6 cups chopped kale (raw)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and roughly chopped
½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Place chopped kale in a large bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon each of the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Use your fingers to massage the oil and vinegar into the kale, rubbing and mixing until all the pieces are coated. Let sit for 30 minutes to soften the kale.
Meanwhile, prep your cherries, pecans and Parmesan cheese.
Once the kale is softened, add the remaining tablespoon each of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and add the lemon juice and maple syrup. Stir well to combine and season with salt and black pepper.
Add the cherries, pecans and Parmesan cheese to the kale and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

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Notes

I use fresh sweet cherries (the dark red kind) but you could substitute another variety if you prefer.

I use chopped pecans here but you could substitute walnuts or another nut.

If you don’t have any maple syrup, you could use honey here instead to help sweeten up the dressing.

The grated Parmesan cheese adds a nice rich nutty flavor, but you can leave it off for a dairy-free salad. Or you could try this salad with some crumbled goat cheese or feta instead.

Nutrition

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