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Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad Recipe

Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 8 reviews

A bright and healthy Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad featuring tender massaged kale leaves, a tangy lemon dressing, crispy croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 4 cups curly kale, washed and stems removed
  • 1/2 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the kale: Start with a bunch of curly kale; wash thoroughly, dry, and remove the leaves from the tough stems. Finely chop the kale leaves and transfer them into a medium-large bowl.
  2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  3. Massage the kale: Drizzle approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the dressing over the kale leaves and massage them gently with your hands. Continue until the leaves darken in color and become tender and silky, which helps to soften the kale and improve its texture.
  4. Toss with remaining dressing: Pour the remaining dressing over the massaged kale and toss thoroughly to coat all the leaves evenly.
  5. Add Parmesan cheese: Finely grate the Parmesan cheese with a box grater, then roughly chop it into smaller bits to create a sprinkle-like texture. Sprinkle this cheese evenly over the salad for flavor in every bite.
  6. Prepare croutons: Place croutons inside a plastic bag or between two paper towels. Use the olive oil bottle to crush the croutons into small, panko-sized pieces.
  7. Finish and serve: Sprinkle the crushed croutons over the salad to add a delightfully crispy topping that complements the lemon and Parmesan flavors. Serve immediately to enjoy the topping while still crisp.

Notes

  • Use fresh curly kale for the best texture and flavor.
  • Massaging the kale is essential to soften its toughness and reduce bitterness.
  • Crushing the croutons adds a nice crunch without overwhelming the salad.
  • Feel free to adjust salt and pepper according to taste.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute croutons with gluten-free breadcrumbs or toasted nuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad, kale salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/lemon-parmesan-kale-salad-recipe/