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Healthy Kale Caesar Salad Recipe: Easy and Nutritious Lunch Option

Healthy Kale Caesar Salad Recipe: Easy and Nutritious Lunch Option

Discover the magic of transforming tough kale leaves into a tender, flavorful Caesar salad that will have you coming back for more.

Kale Caesar salads have taken the culinary world by storm, offering a delightful twist on the traditional Caesar. This nutrient-packed version combines the robustness of kale with the rich, savory flavors of a classic Caesar dressing, creating a salad that’s both satisfying and healthy.

One of the best features of this kale Caesar salad is its longevity. Unlike delicate lettuce varieties, kale maintains its crispness even after being dressed, allowing you to prepare it in advance and enjoy it over several days without compromising on quality or taste.

The Art of Tenderizing Kale

The secret to a perfect kale Caesar lies in the preparation of the greens. By massaging the kale leaves with oil, you break down their tough exterior, resulting in a tender, more palatable texture. This simple step transforms the kale from a chewy leaf into a delectable salad base that perfectly complements the bold Caesar dressing.

To prepare the kale, remove the tough stems and shred the leaves into bite-sized strips. Then, give those leaves a good massage with olive oil, ensuring every surface is coated. This process not only softens the kale but also helps it absorb the flavors of the dressing more effectively.

Crafting the Perfect Caesar Dressing

Our Caesar dressing strikes the perfect balance between convenience and flavor. Using a food processor or blender, we combine creamy mayonnaise with classic Caesar ingredients like lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. The result is a rich, tangy dressing that clings beautifully to the kale leaves, infusing every bite with Caesar goodness.

Crunchy Croutons: The Game-Changer

What sets this kale Caesar apart is its unique approach to croutons. Instead of large, chunky pieces, we create tiny, ultra-crunchy morsels that adhere to the kale leaves. By processing bread into small pieces, tossing them with olive oil, and baking until crisp, we achieve a texture that’s irresistibly crunchy and perfectly distributed throughout the salad.

These mini croutons are the secret weapon of our kale Caesar, providing a delightful contrast to the tender kale and creamy dressing. Every forkful becomes a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

A Salad That Keeps on Giving

One of the greatest advantages of this kale Caesar is its ability to stay fresh for days. Store the dressed kale in the refrigerator and keep the croutons in a sealed container at room temperature. This way, you can enjoy a perfectly dressed, crisp, and crunchy salad whenever the craving strikes – just sprinkle on the croutons right before serving.

Kale Caesar Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (about 2 bunches) Tuscan or curly kale, tough stems removed, leaves roughly chopped (about 4 quarts loosely packed leaves)
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 5 ounces hearty bread, roughly torn into 1-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 6 anchovy fillets
  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
  • 1 1/2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 small white onion or 2 shallots, finely sliced

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and adjust the rack to the middle position. In a large bowl, massage the kale with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Use your hands to thoroughly coat all surfaces, kneading to break down the tougher pieces. This process should take about 2 minutes. Set the kale aside while you prepare the croutons and dressing.
  2. For the croutons, combine the bread pieces with the remaining olive oil in a food processor. Pulse until you have pea-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then pulse once or twice more to combine. Spread the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the croutons are pale golden brown and crisp.
  3. While the croutons are baking, prepare the dressing. Clean out the food processor bowl, then add the mayonnaise, anchovies, garlic, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Process until smooth, then season with salt and pepper if needed.
  4. Once the croutons are done, it’s time to assemble your salad. In the large bowl with the wilted kale, add the onions, dressing, and half of the croutons. Use your hands to toss everything together, ensuring the kale is thoroughly coated with the dressing. Serve your kale Caesar salad sprinkled with the remaining croutons for extra crunch.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
392 Calories
28g Fat
28g Carbs
12g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 392
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 35%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Sodium 615mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 110mg 548%
Calcium 278mg 21%
Iron 4mg 21%
Potassium 753mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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