Lemony Kale Salad Recipes

LEMON-GARLIC KALE SALAD

Steps:

• In a toaster oven or skillet, toast almonds until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
• In a bowl, combine lemon juice and 1 heaping teaspoon salt. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Add garlic cloves and set aside to steep.
• Working in batches, cut the kale into thin ribbons: gather a large handful of leaves, bunch together tightly, and use the other hand to slice into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. This need not be done very precisely or neatly; the idea is to end up with a kind of slaw. (Recipe can be made up to this point 1 day ahead. Keep kale and dressing refrigerated separately.)
• Place chopped kale in a very large bowl. Sprinkle surface with almonds and then with cheese, if using. Remove and discard garlic cloves from dressing. Pour half the dressing over the salad and toss. Taste for dressing and salt and add more as needed, tossing to coat thoroughly. Serve within 1 hour.

LEMONY KALE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil until well combined. Add kale and toss to coat. Add Parmesan and hazelnuts; season with salt and pepper. Toss before serving.

GARLICKY, LEMONY KALE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until translucent and soft. Add the kale and stir to coat with garlic and oil. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the lemon halves cut-side down in the pan and cook without moving until grill marks are visible, about 2 minutes.
• Toast the almonds in a small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and slightly golden brown, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the kale to a serving bowl and squeeze a charred lemon half over the top. Sprinkle with the toasted almonds and pecorino shavings. Serve with the other lemon half on the side. Enjoy!

KALE SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toast pine nuts: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Scatter the pine nuts on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven, shaking or rotating the pan halfway through, until fragrant and golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove the pine nuts from the oven and cool to room temperature.
• Marinate anchovies: Drain and discard the brine the anchovies are packed in. In a small, flat dish, arrange ½ of the anchovy fillets in a single layer, skin side down. Use a traditional citrus zester to zest ½ of the lemon on top; then sprinkle with ½ the olive oil, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Repeat layering once more, finishing with the olive oil. Let the anchovies sit in the marinade at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. (Keeps in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 months.)
• Vinaigrette: Trim the root end from the shallots, then discard skin. Finely mince, then place in a medium bowl. Grate garlic cloves on a Microplane and add to the shallots, along with a large pinch of red pepper flakes. Add lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper (about 12 grinds of a pepper mill), and a pinch of salt. Whisk to combine, then set aside to macerate, 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, use a Microplane to grate lemon zest; add to the bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Finally, grate the ricotta salata into the bowl and whisk to combine one last time.
• Dress the salad: Place kale in a large mixing bowl and toss with a pinch of salt. Add several spoonfuls of dressing and gently massage it into the kale, making sure to coat the leaves thoroughly. Add more dressing as needed. (It's always a good idea to start with less dressing and add more as you go.) Layer the salad to assemble: Place a third of the kale on the bottom of a large serving bowl. Drape a few anchovies onto the kale and sprinkle with pine nuts. Finish by grating a thin layer of ricotta salata on top. Repeat this layering process two more times, then serve.

KALE SALAD WITH APPLE AND LEMON

Steps:

• Massage kale with lemon juice in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed together, about 2 minutes. Add chopped apple and toasted almonds; toss to combine.
• Mix honey and olive oil together in a separate bowl. Drizzle mixture on salad. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

LEMONY LENTILS WITH KALE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and carrot in the hot oil until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme sprigs, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; cook and stir to coat, 1 minute.
• Stir lentils, tomatoes and their juice, and chicken stock into onion mixture. Cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 40 minutes. Add kale, lemon zest, and lemon juice; cook until kale is wilted, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.