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#SundaySupper: Kale-Had-a-Hard-Day Salad {5-Ingredients or Less}


Funny story about this recipe. It's really a massaged kale salad, but I wanted to incorporate what my kitchen elf asked about it.

And it's perfect for the 5-ingredients or less #SundaySupper event. Remember - water, salt, pepper and oil are freebies and don't count towards the total!

Raw kale is tough, so you need break down the fibers somehow. In the past I have blanched it, softening it before using it in a recipe. Massaging it accomplishes the same thing. The first time my littlest kitchen elf helped me, this was our conversation:

D, can you help Mommy with dinner?
"Sure, what can I do?"
Can you please massage the kale in that bowl?
"What?"
Massage the kale, please.
"Did it have a hard day?"
Yes.
"Okay."

Now he's our resident Kale Master. And he calls it our Kale-Had-a-Hard-Day Salad.


Ingredients
  • 1 bunch kale, larger ribs removed and chopped into 1" pieces
  • 2 T olive oil
  • juice and zest from 1 lemon
  • freshly ground sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • fresh herbs, destemmed and thinly sliced (we used a mix of parsley, basil, mint, and oregano)
Procedure
Place the kale in a large mixing bowl and pour the olive oil and lemon juice over the leaves.

Massage until the leaves are softened and have turned from a greyish-green to a bright, deep emerald.



Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fold in the fresh herbs. Let sit for another 10 minutes before serving so the flavors can fully develop.

I also love how flexible this is. As long as you have oil and a citrus you can create any number of combinations. I've done a Kale Salad with Lemon-Lavender and Kale Salad with Apples and Beets, for example.

Here's what the rest of the #SundaySupper bloggers shared...

Appetizers, Salads and Starters
Sides and Accompaniments
Main Dishes


  • BBQ Foiled Chicken from Meal Diva
  • Desserts and Beverages
     
    Sunday Supper Movement
    Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. 
    Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement. 

    Comments

    1. What a cute story. I am always looking for new ideas to use for our bi-weekly raw night and this looks fabulous.

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    2. LOL...what a great story! And perfect name for your yummy salad!

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    3. I just love your story and I love this salad too! It is simply perfect!

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    4. Lovely story and salad! It's just amazing how tender the kale leaves become once you massage them!

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    5. My mom loves Kale and I have yet to try it - looks like I definitely should - this recipe looks fun!

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    6. I love that your son knows how to massage kale!!! Awesome!

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    7. What a sweet and hilarious story! Oh the lengths we go to for a good salad. :) I feel like I've heard how amazing this massaged kale thing is before. I definitely need to give it a try!

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    8. Awww! Your "kitchen elf" is adorable!!! What a good helper :)

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    9. love your story. I had one similar when my girl was little. We called Ramen "Brave Noodles". I am afraid of kale, but if your guy can massage it, I can certainly give it a try.

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    10. This story just cracks me up! I love kale and always prefer it over lettuce in my salads.

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    11. I love your resident Kale Master... is he for hire?

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    12. Ha! That is a funny little story. I think I need a resident Kale Master. I love kale and sous chef rather dislikes it - maybe a massage might help his taste for it improve!

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    13. LOL, great story and great recipe!!

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    14. My kale has always had a hard day, I need a kitchen elf to help relax it a bit!

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    15. Love the story! and I love this kale recipe!!!!

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    16. This is great! I love kale salad! Always wondered how it was "softened"!

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    17. I absolutely love the name of your recipe!

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    18. What a great smile! My kids think I am a little "off" as it is. Not sure if I could get one to massage the kale for me. You're lucky to have a great helper.

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    19. Great recipe, thank you for sharing.

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    20. Wonderful, healthy and delicious! Blessings, Catherine

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    21. Oh my gosh - the "did it have a hard day?" question is seriously adorable!

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    22. I adore kale salad, this looks right up my alley

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    23. LOL I love the title! And this is one of my favorite ways to have kale!

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    24. Haha that is adorable! I love a good kale salad, yum!

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    25. I love that story. I think my kale has had a hard day and I am going to try massaging it! Haha!

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    26. Love those little hands in there! Kale is so great in salads. We use it almost exclusively these days. Thanks for another option!

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    27. He looks so happy to help! Funny story!

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    28. This story made me smile, and so does this salad!

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    29. One of the best salads I've had was a massaged kale salad--can't wait to try this one!

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    30. Love the name of this salad! And I'm definitely going to try the massaging technique with kale next time.

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    31. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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