Simple Kale Salad

Sometimes the simplest thing is the most delicious. You know, salads are probably the easiest things to throw together. I mean technically speaking anything could be a salad, throw some vegetables on a pizza and boom salad! 

As of lately my time has been consumed with so much. I recently started acting classes so now on Saturdays I have a full day of lessons. So now I only have one day a week where I can relax and think about recipes and prepare for the week. So on Sunday I typically prepare a grocery list for meals I will be cooking throughout the week. I work full time, go to the gym for an hour, walk the dog and then have to make dinner. By the time I am done with all this it is already like 8pm so whenever I plan dinner it has to be a 30 minutes or less recipe. I know, y’all can shame me if you want but I live a very busy life! 

One of my go to recipes especially when I am feeling extra tired is a salad. Salads are so easy! There is minimal chopping of vegetables and best of all most of the ingredients are raw so you dont have to spend so much time making it. This kale salad is probably one of the easiest you will ever try but it is so so delicious! I love the fresh, crunchy, slightly bitter taste of kale and when you pair it with dried cranberries and crunchy sliced almonds tossed in a poppy seed dressing your mouth will thank you for it. 

I made this salad without even using a knife! That is how easy it is. A technique I learned to remove the stems from kale is to form like a small ring with your thumb and index finger. You hold it tight and then just pass the kale leaf through your hand. The tender kale leaf falls off and the hard stem comes off. Easy! Once you remove your stems from the kale leaves you just tear it into small pieces using your fingers. Give it a good rinse under cold water and shake it dry. 

Once your kale leaves are pretty dry you put it in your big salad bowl and add about 1/3 cup of dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of sliced almonds. Then you’re going to toss it with your favorite dressing. I used Brianna’s Poppy seed dressing, it’s sweet and tangy and best of all vegan! It pairs so well with any salad that has fruit in it by bringing it all together. I then give it a good crack of fresh black pepper and toss it. Then just like that you’re done! Easy right? If you’re feeling extra hungry you can always any of your favorite protein to it. You could easily do sliced grilled chicken or salmon. Make it your own and dont forget to enjoy! 

Simple Kale Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped kale, about 10-12 leaves

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup Briannas Poppy Seed Dressing

Using your index and thumb form a ring around kale stems and pull to remove leaves. Repeat until all kale is removed. Gently tear into smaller pieces.

Rinse under cool water and pat dry. 

In a large bowl mix chopped kale, cranberries and almonds.

Toss in 1/4 cup of Briannas Poppy Seed Dressing and serve.