I was chatting with my best friend last week and she was laughing at me for massaging dressing into kale... I've gotten so used to doing that I had forgotten that it wasn't always something that I did. (An excellent reminder to always remember that just because something is now second nature, doesn't mean that you should forget where you started)
It may seem a bit odd at first, to massage kale, but it makes it so tasty! It also makes it much easier to eat, because raw kale can be a bit intense :P
It works perfectly as a side dish (I usually top with cherry tomatoes & seeds) or even as the main event, in which case I recommend adding some cooking grains (quinoa, millet or buckwheat) and/or a protein source (toasted chickpeas, tofu or tempeh) to add sustenance.
- 4-5 large kale leaves
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 TB olive oil
- 1/2 tsp maple syrup (add more if needed)
Directions:
- Remove the kale stems.
- Chop the kale into shreds (kale will be roughly 4 handfuls when chopped) and place in a large bowl.
- Whisk the lemon juice and olive oil, then add maple syrup to taste ( just until the real sour edge of the lemon has been taken away).
- Pour the dressing over the kale and massage until the kale has softened and darkened (see comparison photos above).
- Set aside for at least 15 min to allow kale to soften further and the flavours develop.
- Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do!
Jen