Warm Kale with Maple Mustard (Printable)

Tender kale meets warm maple-mustard glaze, toasted nuts and cranberries for a vibrant, nourishing bowl ready in 20 minutes.

# Ingredient list:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale (about 8 cups, stems removed, leaves torn)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Mix-ins

04 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries
05 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Maple Mustard Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
09 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
10 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
13 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Place the kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 2–3 minutes until it becomes vibrant green and tender.
02 - In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and salt. Once combined and just warm, slowly whisk in the 3 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified. Remove from heat.
03 - Pour the warm maple mustard dressing over the massaged kale and toss thoroughly to coat all leaves evenly.
04 - Add the dried cranberries, toasted pecans or walnuts, and sliced red onion. Toss gently to distribute ingredients.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Top with crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately while the dressing is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm dressing transforms kale from bitter tough leaves into something silky and sweet
  • It comes together in 20 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it for an hour
  • You can prep everything ahead and just warm the dressing when ready to serve
02 -
  • Skip the kale massage step and your salad will be tough bitter and unpleasant to eat
  • The dressing should be warm not hot or it will wilt the kale too much and make it soggy
  • Toasting the nuts yourself takes just 5 minutes and makes a huge difference in flavor
03 -
  • Use your hands to toss everything together so you can feel the coating coverage on the kale
  • Let the salad sit for 5 minutes after tossing so the flavors can meld before serving
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