Kale Yeah!

So I have two salads that I have been making over and over again and my family and friends are loving them so I thought I would share!

Lemon Pecorino Kale Salad

Ingredients you'll need:

1 big bunch of Kale

1 shallot

4 tbsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice 

Salt and pepper

2 tbsp. champagne vinegar

4 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1 cup Pecorino cheese

To make this salad here is what you need to know:

Finely shave the kale avoiding the ribs and stems into a large bowl. The finer the better! Add the slivered almonds in the bowl as well. 

Then in a small separate bowl combine minced shallots, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

Massage the kale and almonds with the dressing then add the cheese! I use a micro plane to shred the cheese finely. 

Any Pecorino will work! This is just the one I chose! 

The key I have learned is to get your hands messy and massage the salad! It softens the kale and blends the flavors really well! I hope you enjoy! 

I have another one that is great too! 

Kale, Apple, Walnut Salad

Here what you'll need:

1 big bunch of Kale leaves

1 apple

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped and lightly toasted

3 to 4 tbsp. crumbled blue cheese

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/8 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice 

You can use curly kale like I did on the one in the pic but, I like the Lacinato kale too. It pulls easily off the ribs making it super easy to ribbon. I alternate between the two!

Combine olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt in a separate bowl. 

Get your hands dirty again and massage the mixture into the kale leaves. 

Throw in apples, blue cheese and walnuts and toss. 

I love MayTag blue cheese for this salad. It is my favorite but it is really strong so I use a Danish blue as well that is a little softer, less intense. 

The nice thing about both of these salads is that they can keep in the fridge and taste even better the next day because the dressing softens the kale but doesn't make it soggy like a traditional salad! I usually make it as a side for dinner then throw leftovers into a mason jar and have it for lunch the next day with a protein! I don't eat much dairy but I love these two salads and the cheese definitely makes them so I can't give that up! I hope you love them as much as I do! 

Kale Love, 

Lauren