Italian Kale salad
You need this Italian kale salad in your life.
Before you groan and think “another kale salad?” I promise this one is different. It’s everything, really.
It’s also a total copycat recipe from the new pizza place in Tucson: Falora. One night this weekend, Livi and I picked up a couple of pizzas and salad to take to Kyle and Meg’s house for dinner. I was excited to try out Falora, as it’s located next to my fave yoga studio (Session Yoga!) and I knew they had Italian wood-fired pizzas. The pizzas were just as delightful as expected, but what really blew me away was the service. I couldn’t find a parking spot in the back, and while thinking of the juggling act of toddler + takeout, I called the restaurant and they ran the order out to the car, no problem at all. It was amazing.
We stuck with the classic margherita; a beautiful smoked salmon, goat cheese, and caramelized onion combo; and this Italian kale salad. It was entirely unlike the usual massaged kale fare with lemon and garlic. Instead, this one had a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, a hint of ginger spice + perfectly salty sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and kalamata olives.
Italian Kale Salad for Dinner Parties
Kale salads are also the ultimate entertaining salad because they taste better when made in advance. This gives the kale has time to wilt down, which not only makes it more palatable but easier to digest. If you’re looking for something healthy or green for the upcoming holiday feasts, this would be an awesome contribution.
Here’s the combo if you’d like to give it a whirl!
Italian Kale Salad
A twist on the usual massaged kale salad! Make this one in advance to enjoy over the next few days, or as the perfect party salad.
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 10 oz kale, washed, ribs removed and torn into bite-sized pieces
For the dressing
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 coin of fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
For toppings
- 1/2 cup each of marinated artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and pitted kalamata olives
Instructions
- 1. In a large bowl, add the dressing ingredients. Whisk well to combine and taste to adjust seasonings as necessary.
- 2. Top with the kale, and using your hands, massage the dressing into the kale.
- 3. Add the artichoke hearts, sundered tomatoes and kalamata olives. Store in the fridge until ready to feast!
Notes
- Take it over the top: add some crumbled feta or herbed goat cheese.
Hope you’re having a wonderful day <3
xoxo
Gina
More kale faves:
This amaaaazing avocado almond butter kale salad
Kale salads are my favorite and I love this new, unique take on it. I bet the ginger gives it a nice zing. Sun-dried tomatoes have been my new favorite new so I definitely need to try this one out.
Yum! Sounds delicious and I love that you can make it ahead too…I’ve never been to Falora in Tucson.
Sounds wonderful! I love Kale salads.
In my opinion, you can never have too many kale recipes. I love the addition of ginger to your dressing, I am definitely trying that in my next kale salad. I’m pretty boring and always roll with a classic combo of evoo, lemon, garlic, sea salt, and tons of black pepper.
So glad you’re having a great birthday! This salad sounds delicious- such a fun twist by using kale.
This looks delicious! Happy belated Birthday!!
What a gorgeous and delicious looking salad! I’m a kale fan 🙂
This looks awesome! Can’t wait to make it. Happy belated birthday!!!!
Looks yummy in my tummy, Gina. I absolutely love salads but they’re a nightmare to bring to classes as they don’t keep cold and fresh in my lunchbox.
cold packs! they help a lot 🙂
I can already tell I am going to love this recipe, one can never have too many kale salad recipes!
Anything with ginger/garlic is a winner in my books, and I agree with the goat cheese addition. mmmm!
This recipe looks great!! You don’t find italian kale salad recipes ever! Most I’ve seen tend to have cream-based dressings. Thank you for this! I think I’ll make it next time I make spaghetti. 😀
Pinned! That homemade dressing sounds great. I need to incorporate more greens into my life!
let me know if you give it a try! 🙂
You know, I’ve never massaged kale. I usually saute it and put it in something else. Thanks for the reminder!
let me know if you give it a try! 🙂
I love the addition of ginger! Unexpected and delicious I’m sure!
I never get tired of kale salad so never apologize for giving us another 🙂
I la-la-LOVE those marinated artichokes…soooo good. I’m gonna give this a whirl!
Just made this tonight. LOVED it and so did the Hubby. Does the kid eat it? Mine won’t. She is 4. 😛
so awesome! 🙂 no, she’ll pick the olives out but wasn’t a fan of anything else in this one
Adding the sundried tomatoes sounds genius!