Several weeks ago I was talking to a few friends about kale salad. What else? I’m not exactly sure how the topic came up; maybe we had already covered weather, family, business, politics, and pop-culture. Nevertheless, each friend gingerly described their favorite kale salad recipe in glorious detail. I noticed when each person finished picking apart the recipe, they stated… “And I think it might have had bread crumbs in it.”
Bread crumbs may seem a strange ingredient to add to salad, but there is good reason to mix breadcrumbs into a kale salad recipe. Raw kale, as wonderfully healthy as it is, can be tough to chew. Wilting the kale makes it much more pleasing to the palate. And the best way to wilt raw kale, without cooking it, is to soak it with an acid ingredient. You can do this easily by tossing kale with a dressing, made with vinegar or lemon juice, then letting it sit for a while.
Now here’s where the breadcrumbs come in. (You thought I forgot about them, didn’t you?) A thin vinaigrette will always pool at the bottom of the bowl, meaning most of the kale won’t actually be soaking in it. And you certainly don’t want to over-do on the dressing. So the best way to fully coat the kale in the acidic dressing is to sprinkle it with breadcrumbs and toss in the vinaigrette. As you toss the kale the breadcrumbs absorb the vinaigrette and stick to the leaves. Then as it sits, the acid works its magic over the entire surface of the kale. Makes sense, right?
We enjoy all sorts of wilted kale salads. However, as we’re edging closer to spring, I’ve got berries on my mind. Wilted Kale Salad with Pecorino, Strawberries, and Pine Nuts is one I’m partial to at the moment. It’s super easy to make, with only eight ingredients, other than salt and pepper. Plus, it offers lovely contrast with the sweet tangy strawberry slices, crunchy pine nuts, and salty pecorino.
Seriously, I cannot get enough of it right now. Wilted Kale Salad with Pecorino, Strawberries, and Pine Nuts makes a great make-ahead or lunchbox item, because the kale continues to soften, but won’t get mushy over time.
Wilted Kale Salad with Pecorino, Strawberries, and Pine Nuts is also wonderful for spring picnics, potlucks, or pretty much any other occasion you can think of. You should try it. Just sayin’
Other Kale Salad Recipes
Southern Kale Salad with Toasted Cornbread Crumbs Crispy Kale and Quinoa Salad Warm Kale Salad with Goat Cheese – Veggie and the Beast Winter Kale and Wild Rice Salad – Recipe Runner Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad – Pinch of Yum Share This Recipe With Friends!
