I think it’s becoming obvious that I really like kale salads. I’m actually not a huge fan of cooked kale or kale chips, but I do love me a raw salad.
This particular salad is a combination of all my favorite things – savory (kale), sweet (fruit & maple), and tangy acid (balsamic). It is great on its own as a lunch salad, or paired with something like brown rice or quinoa as an entrée.
Balsamic Kale Salad with Apple and Pear
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients (4 servings)
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2 small heads Italian or Dinosaur kale
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1 large apple
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1 large pear
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1/4 cup dried cranberries
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1/4 cup sunflower seeds
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salt (to taste)
For the Dressing
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 tablespoon orange juice
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1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
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1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
Rinse kale and tear the leaves from the stems. I prefer the flat Italian or Dinosaur kale for raw salads, but you can use any type you like. The curly kale is a bit heartier, and in my opinion is better suited for cooked applications.
Thinly slice the apple and pear, and add to a large salad bowl along with the sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.
In a small dish, whisk dressing ingredients together until well combined. Drizzle dressing over salad, and then toss until all dressing and mix-ins are well distributed.
Season to taste with kosher salt, serve, and enjoy!
It’s getting to be that time of year when I don’t want heavy, hot food as often, and instead prefer giant heaping bowls of refreshing salads and veggies.
This is a great salad to make for dinner, and pack up the leftovers for lunch the next day. Light, refreshing, and healthy!
Enjoy!
48 Comments so far
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I’m currently obsessed with balsamic vinegar on my salads. I definitely need to make this!
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Yum! This sounds like a great salad! If I’m eating kale raw, I definitely prefer dinosaur kale. Usually around here I can only find curly kale.
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Looks delicious! I’m actually the opposite- I like kale chips but I most prefer my kale in a smoothie with some coconut water, an apple, a banana, and some chlorella tablets. I do love fruit in salads though so this is a recipe I’d definitely try! Have a good night, Emily!
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I live on salads during warmer weather. I’m ready for the salad season to begin!
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This looks great. Oddly, I’m not a huge apple fan but I may try it with just pears. I love fruit but not apples! I’m so strange. :-)
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I feel the same way about kale! Love it raw in salads and can pass up the chip and cooked versions.
I have been ‘pinning’ kale salads like nobody’s business and this one is definitely making it onto my pinterest board. I may need a kale salad board all to itself soon!
Thanks for the recipe, it looks great!
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This looks awesome and perfect for an early summer picnic/bbq!
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I have never tried it in a salad, but kale chips are horrible! And I even tried to add it to a smoothie, but unlike spinach I could not get rid of the taste of it for the life of me.
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That is beautiful! I like leaving big leaves but have also enjoyed kale salads where it’s chopped into kale confetti. I posted recently about one has currants and pine nuts, but a lemony dressing instead of balsamic: http://emmycooks.com/2012/01/07/the-best-soup-of-2011/ I look forward to trying yours and agree about salads making a great summer meal…if and when summer finally comes to Seattle. :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:12 am
Summer IS coming! So much sun this week! :)
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What a lovely recipe for spring… so fresh, flavorful and nutritious! Thanks for the idea :)
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This looks so tasty and easy! I’m excited to try it. I’ve needed some more salad variety in my life!!
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I love kale salads and cooked kale- I can’t get on board with the chips.. not so much. I have never made kale salad with sweet ingredients- and this looks great! Must try :)
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I love sunflower seeds on salads. I buy raw sunflower seeds from the bulk bins and toast them in the microwave or toaster oven. The toasting/roasting really gives extra flavor. If you’ll have leftovers, I recommend waiting to add sunflower seeds to individual servings just before eating so they stay nice and crunchy.
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:12 am
Good idea!
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Look delicious! And just in time for spring! Of course it poured a boatload here last night and now all I want is hot soup but I’m sure the sticky days of summer will be here in no time and this will be the perfect thing to cool me off.
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YUM! I’ve tried Kale and didn’t care for it. However when I was at Trader Joe’s a gentleman there told me he grows Kale and there’s so many varities, he recommended for me to try it again, so I will and use it with your recipe. I can’t wait!
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This is one of my favorite salads! I haven’t made in it a while but you’ve inspired me. Your salad dressing sounds delicious I’m so making this :)
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I live in Pinehurst, NC (Small village) and the only kale I can find is curly kale. But sometimes it is tough after I cook it….do you know why….did I just buy some old kale at the store? Any ideas.
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:12 am
Curly kale just tends to be a little heartier than the flat varieties. I think it’s tough too!
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The only kind of kale I have ever seen is curly, as well. I love this recipe, though, due to the everyday ingredients that I would likely have on hand. I dread buying a ‘special’ ingredient to try a new recipe, only to find I didn’t like the recipe after all. Then I’m left trying to find other ways to use it up.
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I’m a big fan of Kale any way it’s served. I’m loving salads right now. Greens and fruit always hit the spot!
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That salad looks good. I just came across your site and will be adding it to my google reader, your recipes look yummy!
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Welcome, James! :)
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Kale is addicting. I love it in any way. This recipe looks great.
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Many noms. Thank you. I love anything that incorporates real maple syrup. #NewEngland
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I’d love to see some of my favorite bloggers participating in this! A Food Blogger Bake Sale to end childhood hunger, such an amazing cause… http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2012/03/28/share-our-strength-food-blogger-bake-sale/
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Emily! I didn’t use kale *yuck!* but used this dressing on spinach salad and it was magnificent.
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Haha glad you found your own use for it! :)
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Haha I am the exact opposite. I love the sauteed and baked versions of kale. Whatever way you eat kale it is still a great super food.
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elizabeth Reply:
April 11th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Me too, I love sauteed kale. I blanch and freeze enough from the garden to last me the whole winter and spring. Cook it up with some garlic and a little tamari and eat it with some type of grain, I never get tired of it, except when I’m craving a crunchy salad.
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raw kale question emily! you have got me totally hooked on raw kale now. i want to try just a simple oil and balsamic vinegar because i have this amazing balsamic i love. i doubt i would even need maple. for one salad how much each of oil and balsamic would you estimate to be good and do i need to add anything else? do i “massage” both the oil and balsamic or just oil? thank you so so much for your expertise!
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:09 am
For one person? I’d probably to a tablespoon of each – maybe a little less on the oil. Whisk them together and then massage!
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Jen Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:39 am
thank you so much! do you think it won’t be too bitter without any sweetener like maple?
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I love kale and have been making the same kale salad for a while. I’d like to try this one but can’t eat balsamic (I get a migraine) what could I use instead?
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Any other sweet vinegar. Maybe rice wine? It will taste a bit different than the original, but probably still good.
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karene angela Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Thanks Emily, have all the ingredients for the salad and will make tonight
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I know this seems quite random, but have you ever thought of becoming a wellness coach! (You are such an inspiration!)
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Emily Malone Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Haha I haven’t, but thank you! Maybe some day!
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I keep looking for a way to try kale. This may be it :)
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Ummm yummmm!! :)
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[...] I love kale, balsamic vinegar, apples and pears, so of course, when creatively paired together in one beautiful salad, naturally, I just wanna have it! It’s basically raw, so as far as salads go, it suits me [...]
Just made this! So yummy!!!
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My husband never enjoys fruity green salads… but this was a major hit and he even requested it for work the next day and for the upcoming family reunion. Thanks for another simple yet refreshing way to mix unexpected ingredients!!
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This has become my go-to easy work lunch. Thanks for posting it and best of luck for the next few weeks!
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