Warm Kale Maple Mustard Dressing (Printable)

Tender massaged kale meets warm maple-mustard glaze with toasted nuts and cranberries for vibrant comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

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

# How-To:

01 - Place 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 leaves become 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 warmed through, slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified. Remove from heat.
03 - Pour the warm maple mustard dressing over the massaged kale. Toss thoroughly to coat all leaves evenly.
04 - Add dried cranberries, toasted pecans or walnuts, and sliced red onion to the dressed kale. Toss gently to distribute ingredients.
05 - Transfer salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Top with crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately while dressing is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm dressing turns raw kale into something silky and luxurious
  • It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after sitting for twenty minutes
02 -
  • Massaging kale isn't just a trendy step, it chemically breaks down the tough cellulose and makes the leaves actually pleasant to eat raw
  • The dressing should be warm, not hot, or you'll accidentally cook the greens instead of just coating them
03 -
  • Use baby spinach and skip the massaging if you're short on time, though the texture won't be quite as luxurious
  • Substitute toasted pumpkin seeds if anyone has nut allergies, they add the same crunch with a different flavor profile
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