I’m in need of some greens. The gnarly kind. The kind that bite back.
Clearly kale is the answer. It’s clean and crunchy and that’s where we’re starting for today.
The very back of the pantry is like a treasure trove of forgotten bottles and spices. I dug out my neglected bottle of sesame oil and rice wine vinegar for this clean and crunchy salad. They’re just the right ingredients to tame the taste and texture of raw kale.
Fresh ginger is grated and whisked together with minced garlic, sesame oil, and rice wine vinegar. A little honey to balance the spicy-ness of ginger, too! Salt and pepper, of course. Making fresh salad dressing is just that easy.
Before tossing the dressing onto the kale, I massaged the kale with a bit of olive oil. This helps soften the fibrous leaves further.
Chopped roasted almonds and sesame seeds for crunch and this salad is a go! It’s simple, satisfying, and totally green! What a way to make a pound of kale go down easy.
Sesame Kale Salad with Roasted Almonds
makes 4 small servings
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
1 pound kale, cleaned, stems removed, and coarsely choppd
1 teaspoon olive oil
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 small clove of garlic, minced
scant 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
scant 2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
salt and crushed red pepper flakes to taste
1/3 cup coarsely chopped roasted almonds
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until just fragrant. Remove from heat and place in a small bowl.
Place kale in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Massage the oil into the kale and set aside while you make the dressing.
In a small bowl whisk together the grated ginger, minced garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey until emulsified. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and taste. Season as needed. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss. Top with toasted sesame seeds and chopped almonds and toss once again. Serve immediately.
aglossythought
This is one delicious sounding kale recipe – the perfect Sunday discovery. I’m going to get busy in the kitchen!
Alex
Kale really is one of the greatest foods out there! I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ve kind of been stuck on a Kale Chip binge recently (our recipe is super good: https://www.veganosity.com/food/kale-chips/), so I’m glad to find another kale recipe that looks fantastic!
Miss Sophisticate
Can’t wait to try this salad! Those flavors will definitely mask the raw kale taste and massaging the kale does wonders!
Allison @ Clean Wellness
If it’s okay, I think I might eat the whole thing myself :) Love the addition of the almonds for some nice crunch. I’ll never turn down a big bowl of kale salad. Yum!
Anne
I have only discovered the joy of Kale over the past few months, not had it raw yet other than a nibble inbetween bag to pan, like the idea of massaging it with olive oil, its luxury kale!
Shaheen
I’m not really into kale, but this recipe just might have convinced to pick up a bunch when I go to the market next. Love sesame and ginger.
joythebaker
The sesame and ginger pair really well with the kale, so give it a try, you might become a kale believer!
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody)
That salad sounds and looks so good. All the elements would work so well together. Thanks for sharing!
Carissa
This looked so good I made it already! Very tasty! The sesame definitely adds a new spin to the same old kale recipes I’ve been making. Will definitely be making this again.
Laura @ S.S. HEART
mmm looks so delish…i might have to make this tonight!
bakerkat
Perfect. I have some kale in the refrigerator so I’ll be making this today.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Kale is often my green craving too – and I love this recipe!
ItalianGirlCooks
I’m always looking for new (quick and easy) ways to incorporate kale into my diet…nice recipe!
Sini | my blue&white kitchen
This is a delicious looking salad. We really should enjoy the last bits of this kale season. Also, love the New Orleans light in these photos! Hope you’re already feeling at home already.