Kale and Tomato Salad


Besides being a superfood and really good for you, kale actually taste good. Time after time I would steam or saute these lovely leaves much the same way. They were always good but I had shortchanged us of all the possibilities. In the cookbook, "Vegetable Literacy" by Deborah Madison her recipe has us adding olive oil and salt to the kale. We then massage the leaves repeatedly until they glisten about 2 to 3 minutes. At first I was confused by this instruction, but soon this process started to make sense. The leaves turn dark green and become shiny, almost silky. The kale seems lighter and softer. I topped this salad with bits of crumbly blue cheese, which complimented the red cherry tomatoes nicely. This salad is simply delicious.

This recipe has been adapted from "Vegetable Literacy" by Deborah Madison.

Ingredients:

1/2 bunch kale (cut into small ribbons)
2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil (divided)
1/2 teaspoon salt (divided)
1 clove garlic (mashed)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon mustard
1 ounces blue cheese (crumbled)
Large handful of cherry tomatoes (halved)
2 green onions (thinly sliced)

To prepare:

Put kale ribbons into salad bowl with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt and massage the leaves repeatedly until they start to glisten, about 2 to 3 minutes.



Mash garlic with side of sharp knife and then add in 1/4 salt. Add to small bowl with vinegar and mustard, whisk together adding the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Toss the greens with the dressing until completely coated, then crumble over the blue cheese. Add scallions and tomatoes. Enjoy!

Comments

  1. I admit that I was slow to jump on the kale bandwagon, but now have begun to appreciate it. I like the idea of massaging it with the olive oil and salt. My biggest fear of kale that it would be too tough. Sounds like you've found the perfect answer.
    Sam

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    1. Hi Sam , I have to tell you, this method elevates this to a more light and springy salad. Quite different than the leaves you have to chew for hours on end.

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  2. I have always loved Deborah Madison. I have her Local Flavors cookbook. Your kale dish looks so good and so good for you too. I'm enjoying your blog. Thanks for stopping by.

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    1. Thanks Penny, what a wonderful compliment. Happy week-end to you!

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  3. What a perfect, simple salad. Love salads when it' hot at like it has been in california lately (95 degrees!) Means I don't have to turn on the oven.

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    1. Hi Natalie, I know what is up with this weather, I certainly love to go out to eat , grill or make salads until it cools down again.

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  4. I am always looking for new kale recipes. This salad looks terrific!

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    1. Hi Pam, we are leaving for Yachats in 10 days, noticed you are in Portland which has the best farmer';s markets we have ever been to. Love the Pacific Northwest.

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  5. Wow, this recipe really does sound tasty. I've actually never tried kale (incredible, I know), or certainly not since it became all trendy, so I think I need to put that right. Tomatoes are one of my favourite foods and I'm a blue cheese fan, so I think this would definitely be my kind of salad.

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    1. Hi Helen, for me in the beginning I only ate kale steamed or boiled, now there are so many more possibilities and it is so healthy for you. I guess you can say it grew on me.

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  6. I just learned about massaging kale too, Cheri - I had no idea what a difference it makes. This is so simple, fresh and beautiful - perfect for summer!

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    1. Hi Robyn, I know sounds kind of crazy, but I absolutely adore kale now.

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  7. Oh ho! I love this recipe already without even trying it. I'm growing kale for the first time this year and will use this recipe for sure! Got anything in your repertoire for my abundance of rhubarb this spring???

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    1. Hi Sandra, I am so jealous of your garden. You have such a green thumb. Have never cooked with rhubarb before, but there are a lot of great recipes on line. Hope to see you guys this summer.

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  8. Oh my gosh this sounds so delicious Cheri! I've never massaged it before! Sounds relaxing in a weird way!

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    1. Hi Karen, I know what you mean, but I find chopping veggies very relaxing too, so there you go.

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  9. Wow, I have to try this technic. Thanks, Cheri. And your salad looks deliciously green!
    :) ela@GrayApron

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    1. Hi Ela, it's a great way if you are going to eat chard raw.

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    1. Hi Tandy, Oh I am so jealous of your kale growing.....this is a great method for eating raw kale salads. Happy week-end to you!

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  11. That is one of my favorite books! Have you tried the Carrot Cake? It has ruined all other carrot cakes for me... I haven't tried this kale salad yet, but now I will. I have heard about massaging kale (I over heard it in a restaurant where I thought they were massaging the quail...) - whether kale or quail, I thought, "What will that do?" Now I know!

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    1. Hi David, no I have not tried the carrot cake yet, will make that a priority. Funny story about the quail kale, had myself a little chuckle. Try this method if you are making a raw kale salad it's life changing, it is really good.

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  12. What a lovely salad. Kale is so flavorful, it is just wonderful. And isn't "Vegetable Literacy"a masterwork!

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    1. Hi Adri, I agree it is one of the best. Love kale! Happy week-end!

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  13. You had me at 'massage the kale leaves'! Love it! And the blue cheese with tomatoes, how can you go wrong. Can't wait to carry this one lunch soon.

    Thanks Cheri for another lovely!

    ciao

    Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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    1. Hi Devaki, what a nice comment, if you have a chance this is a great technique. Happy week-end to you!

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  14. Hi Cheri , this salad says it all ... love grilling and eating outside and I will add this to my salad file .
    Thanks for commenting on my blog . Be back soon . Thanks for sharing :) ~Nee~

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    1. Hi Nee, love your blog, right now we are in Arizona and it is very hot, grilling is very popular right now.

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  15. Kale, tomatoes and cider vinegar is fine by me. Blue cheese adds zing to this wonderfully healthy salad. Thanks for sharing!

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

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    1. Thanks Julie, massaging kale makes is so wonderful!

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  16. looks like a lovely summer salad :)

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  17. Looks great - a super fresh summer salad!

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    1. Thanks Della, looks like you hit the button twice, great salad.

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  18. Hi! Thanks for your visit to my blog! Kale is one of my favorites. This a perfect salad for this summer when the tomatoes are ripe!!!

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    1. Hi Julie, there are so many different ways to prepare this nutritious veggie. Thanks for stopping by.

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  19. Kale is one of my winter veggies! This salad looks very fresh and tasty.

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  20. Massaging the Kale! That's a new one, though I can see where it would soften it up.

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    1. Hi Pam, it's almost like it cooks it a bit if you will. It's delicious!

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  21. How did I miss this in Vegetable Literacy! I'm all about kale massaging. It makes it so soft and delicious!

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    1. I know other people post things, I have the same book and I never notice. What is the deal? Anyway this is a good one Joanne.

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  22. I have lots of friends who laughed at the idea of massaging kale until they tried it! So tasty. This sounds like a nice and refreshing lunch

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    1. Hi Kelly, I know it's a awesome way to this veggie, this method makes it no longer bitter.

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  23. Wow Cheri - this is beautiful. I bet the blue cheese bite really adds that special something. Have a great week.

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  24. Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone is one of my favorite cookbooks of all time. She is a genius with vegetables! I never would have thought to massage kale.

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    1. Hi Beth, she is the master......I love the way she cooks and thinks.

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  25. It looks fantastic!
    I recently went to Trader Joe's..3 hrs away..in the US and we bought the pacakged Tuscan Kale..DELICIOUS.. this would definitely soften it..
    I think a massage would make the kale feel loved too:)

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