Kale Salad with Pear and Walnuts

A sweeter twist on a classic massaged kale salad, this recipe is a great option for holiday meals and gatherings. This salad can easily be prepared in advance and it actually gets better if you let it sit for a few hours before serving (you can add the pears in right before you’re ready to eat so they don’t brown).

Kale Salad with Pear and Walnuts

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• About 3-4 generous cups washed and chopped kale (Lacinato or Dinosaur kale works great in this recipe)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or more as needed)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup raw walnuts, chopped
• 1 pear, sliced
• ½-1 tsp cinnamon
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Drizzle of raw honey (optional)
• Goat cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut lemon in half and juice.

2. Pour 1 tbsp (more if needed) of olive oil over kale, and sprinkle with sea salt. With clean hands, “massage” the kale so that all of the oil is coating it and it begins to wilt.

3. Squeeze lemon juice and seasonings and continue to massage the kale.

4. Toss in remaining ingredients and mix. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Top with crumbled goat cheese and a drizzle of raw honey, if desired.