Meet your new favorite salad: Crispy Kale and Apple Salad. This dish combines hearty kale with the crisp sweetness of apples, toasted walnuts, and tangy feta for a refreshing, satisfying bite. Perfect for any season, it’s a quick and delightful meal or side.
Kale: Packed with nutrients, it’s the sturdy base of our salad. Its slightly bitter flavor balances the sweet and tangy elements perfectly.
Apples: Bring sweetness and crunch. Choose a crisp variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture.
Walnuts: Toasted and chopped, they add a nutty depth and satisfying crunch.
Feta Cheese: Offers a creamy, tangy contrast that brings all the flavors together.
Dried Cranberries: Add a pop of sweetness and chewiness that complements the fresh apples.
Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey, Dijon Mustard: These combine to create a simple yet flavorful dressing that ties everything together.
This salad shines as a stand-alone dish, but it also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal. For a vegetarian option, serve alongside a hearty soup or a chickpea-based dish.
Start by prepping your ingredients. Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces, ensuring to remove the tough stems. Thinly slice your apples, aiming for even pieces so they mix well throughout the salad. Next, toast the walnuts if they aren’t already; this enhances their flavor and gives them a nice crunch.
In a large bowl, toss together the chopped kale, sliced apples, toasted walnuts, crumbled feta, and dried cranberries. Make sure everything is evenly distributed, so each bite is full of flavor.
Now, let's make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Drizzle the dressing over your salad and gently toss to ensure everything is coated evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest taste, or pop it in the fridge for later.
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