The best go- to summer time salad with fresh peaches, candied pecans, blueberries, goat cheese, and Nature’s Greens kale.
There’s no way around it. Kale can be pretty tough and is probably the reason some may shy away from this amazing nutritious green. There’s also the fact that kale can be super bitter in taste and quite rubbery. I’m here to say that massaging kale is the answer, my friend. Maybe you’ve heard of messaged kale but rest assured its more than just a trend. It’s an actual way to minimize the bitterness and toughness, trust me.
It’s officially summer time! What’s even better is that its peach season. This really inspired me to make this Massaged Kale Peach Salad with Candied Pecans. The heart of this salad, kale, was made with Nature’s Greens. This recipe uses whole bunches of kale purchased at my local grocery store but also note that Nature’s Greens has pre -cut and triple washed greens that are way easier to handle if you are low on time.
How To Massage Kale
This process can be described in just 3 words: prep, drizzle, massage. That’s it! Sounds easy right?
Now let’s discuss!
Prepare Kale: Use your hands to rip off the kale from stems. You won’t be needing those stems but if you are feeling handy there are ways to make use of the kale stems. Rinse kale under cool water or submerge in water to wash greens. Let greens dry or pat with paper towel. Use a knife to cut or shred kale into bite sized pieces. Place kale in large bowl.
Drizzle: The most important step before actually massaging the kale is what’s poured on the kale. Use an oil, a pinch of salt, something acidic (like balsamic vinegar or lemon juice). With that said, it make sense to just prepare this vinaigrette dressing now and use it as the liquid to massage this kale. In a small jar add the olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Close jar with lid and shake vigorously or if you don’t have a lid use a spoon or whisk to mix this dressing.
This is not only good for flavor but will for sure breakdown that kale.
Massage: Now to the part you’ve been waiting for. With clean hands passionately toss, rub, flip, (whatever you want to call it) for a couple of minutes. There’s no right or wrong way here folks. To test that your kale has been properly massaged just sample a piece.
What should you look for to see that it’s done? The kale should be less chewy/rubbery. If you have time you can skip the message altogether and just let the salad just sit in the fridge (with the dressing/oil). The acidic liquids will break down the kale just a good as a massage.
How To Make Massaged Kale Peach Salad with Candied Pecans
Now that your kale should be nice and relaxed it’s time to construct the perfect summer salad! Are you ready?! Grab the ripest peaches you can find and the plumpest of blueberries. Another little gem in this salad is the candied pecans. While regular pecans will do just fine, I’m taking it up a notch. This recipe uses naturally sweetened candied pecans to give this salad extra jazz.
Naturally Sweetened Candied Pecans
Ever so delicately place kale in a bowl of choice. Pile on the slices of peaches, plop over top blueberries, sprinkle the slightly sweetened pecans, and add the goat cheese. Drizzle a little more of the vinaigrette dressing on top if you want and you’re done!
Other Kale Recipes!
Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Kale Slaw
Breakfast Sandwich with Crispy Kale
This is a sponsored post by Nature’s Greens. All opinions are my own.
Messaged Kale Peach Salad with Candied Pecans
The best summer time salad with fresh peaches, candied pecans, blueberries, goat cheese, and Nature's Greens kale.
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 cups Natures Greens Kale
- 2 peaches sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- ½ cup candied pecans
- ¼ cup goat cheese
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Use your hands to rip off the kale from stems. Rinse kale under cool water or submerge in water to wash greens. Let greens dry or pat with paper towel. Use a knife to cut or shred kale into bite sized pieces. Place kale in large bowl.
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In a small jar add the olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Close jar with lid and shake vigorously or if you don’t have a lid use a spoon or whisk to mix this dressing.
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With clean hands toss, rub, flip, kale for a couple of minutes or until the kale becomes less chewy/rubbery.
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Place kale in a bowl of choice. Pile on the slices of peaches, blueberries,and sweetened pecans, and add the goat cheese. Drizzle a little more of the vinaigrette dressing.
Recipe Notes
Recipe for candied pecans here.
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Jasmin Foster is a registered dietitian/food photographer focused on feel good balanced living providing recipes and tips to help you live your best life.