Kale Pomegranate Salad

Because kale is currently plentiful here in western Boynton Beach, FL, we’ve been on a kale recipe kick. It also helps that it’s good for you – and  - we like it. I’ve made kale and white bean soup, baked kale chips, and now – Kale Pomegranate Salad. I can’t take credit for having created this, although I don’t know why I never thought of it.

Kale-Pomegranate Salad

I came across this recipe on HungryGirl.com, and have adapted it ever-so-slightly to suit our taste.

Kale Pomegranate Salad

Serves 4

Salad Ingredients:

6 cups chopped kale leaves

1 cup chopped Granny Smith apple (We prefer Fuji, but feel free to use your favorite type.)

1/4 cup pomegranate arils (see NOTE below in the directions)

2 to 3 Tbsp. pistachios, chopped

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice (Refer to the ‘How-To’ instructions for extracting juice from arils) –OR- 2 tsp. pomegranate molasses diluted with 1 or 2 Tbsp. water to tone it down a bit (Pomegranate molasses is quite strong!)
• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
•  Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Thoroughly wash kale leaves, and pat dry. (Or wash and dry in a salad spinner; it works wonders!) Tear into bite-sized pieces. Discard any thick ribs.

NOTE: Pomegranate arils can be purchased in most grocery stores when in season. OR you can use a handy-dandy pomegranate de-seeder tool  to separate the seeds which is what I did!

2. Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, combine dressing ingredients and whisk until well-combined.

4. Drizzle dressing onto salad; gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. (This step helps to soften the kale leaves for easier chewing.)

‘How-To Extract Juice from Arils’:

Place about 1/2 cup additional arils in a food processor, and pulse until juice appears. Use a fine strainer to separate seedy pulp from the juice, discarding the solids. Measure the amount of juice you need for the dressing recipe and save any that remains for another use.

Healthy Eating!!