Green Kale Apple Salad (Printable version)

Crisp apples, tender kale, walnuts, and maple-Dijon dressing combine for a refreshing, nutrient-rich salad.

# List of ingredients:

→ Salad Components

01 - 1 large bunch green kale (approximately 7 ounces), stems removed, leaves chopped
02 - 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted
04 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
05 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Maple-Dijon Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Place chopped kale in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and pinch of salt. Massage kale with hands for 1 to 2 minutes until leaves soften and darken in color.
02 - Add sliced apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries if using, red onion, and crumbled feta if using to the bowl with prepared kale.
03 - In small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until thoroughly emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over salad mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with vinaigrette.
05 - Taste salad and adjust salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately while walnuts remain crunchy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The massaged kale trick transforms tough leaves into something impossibly tender without any cooking
  • That maple Dijon dressing hits the perfect sweet and tangy note that keeps people coming back for seconds
02 -
  • Massaging kale feels strange the first time but it is the difference between chewing through tough leaves and eating something silky
  • The dressing tastes stronger on its own than it does on the salad, so do not panic when you first taste it straight from the jar
03 -
  • A mandoline makes apple slicing effortless and creates those gorgeous thin ribbons that make the salad feel special
  • Let the dressed salad sit for ten minutes before serving to let the flavors really sink into the kale

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