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–+ servings
kale cucumber salad

Kale Cucumber Salad

Arielle Hess
For a healthy and hearty salad full of earthy bright flavors, try this kale cucumber salad. Fresh kale, cucumber, and orange wedges are covered in a citrusy vinaigrette and topped with shaved parmesan cheese. A dish that will win over even the biggest kale skeptics, this dish is a bright, fresh salad.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 208 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups fresh kale
  • 1 English cucumber
  • A pinch of salt plus more to taste
  • A pinch of ground pepper plus more to taste
  • 2 oranges
  • 1/3 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pepitas

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dry 4 cups of fresh kale.
  • With your fingers, massage the kale for 3-4 minutes.
  • Chop kale into small pieces and set aside.
  • Peel the cucumber and slice it into semicircles, roughly ½ inch in thickness.
  • Peel an orange and section it off into small slices. Set aside.
  • Cut the other orange in half and juice on both sides.
  • Place the ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup fresh orange juice, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of ground pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Shake vigorously until well combined. Set aside.
  • If using a block of parmesan, use a peeler to shave off thin slices, creating roughly ⅓ cups.
  • Place the kale, cucumber, and orange in a bowl.
  • Add the cheese and the pepitas.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Toss with the salad dressing.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Spend a few minutes ‘massaging’ the kale. Rubbing the kale in your fingers will help soften the leaves and make them easier to chew and digest.
In this dressing, I recommend using a really light olive oil—something with a light floral flavor if possible—because it will add a lot to the dish. If you want to use a store-bought dressing, consider using something like a citrus vinaigrette or a creamy goddess dressing.
Because the kale is hardy, this salad can sit dressed and be made in advance of when you plan to serve it. I recommend waiting to add the parmesan cheese until you are ready to serve the salad, as the dressing will cause it to lose its firm texture and sharp flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 11.64gProtein: 5.53gFat: 16.71gSaturated Fat: 3.196gFiber: 2.5gSugar: 6.1g
Keyword kale, salad, vegetarian
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