Warm Kale with Maple Mustard (Printable)

Tender massaged kale with warm maple-mustard glaze, toasted pecans, and cranberries.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 large bunch curly kale, stems removed and 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

# Directions:

01 - Place kale in a large bowl, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Massage the kale for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes 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 just warm, slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified. Remove from heat.
03 - Pour the warm maple mustard dressing over the massaged kale and toss thoroughly to coat all leaves.
04 - Add the dried cranberries, toasted pecans or walnuts, and sliced red onion. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Top with crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately while the dressing is still warm.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The warm dressing softens the kale just enough so it actually tastes good, not like you're chewing on a sweater.
  • Maple and mustard together hit that sweet-savory note that makes your brain happy in ways you didn't expect.
  • It comes together in 20 minutes but tastes like you spent your whole afternoon on it.
02 -
  • Don't skip the massaging step even though it feels silly—that physical action actually breaks down the kale's fiber and makes it digestible and tender in a way raw kale just isn't.
  • If your dressing breaks and looks separated, take it off heat immediately and slowly whisk in a teaspoon of water or mustard to bring it back together instead of giving up on it.
03 -
  • Make the dressing first while you're massaging the kale so everything comes together at exactly the right temperature and nothing cools down before you eat it.
  • If feta crumbles seem too crumbly or the dish feels too wet, add them as a finishing touch right before serving so they don't dissolve into the warm liquid.
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