With sweet pomegranate seeds, tart lime juice, and salty bacon, this pomegranate & Parmesan kale salad makes a beautiful and light wintery dish!
Let me start by saying something that may surprise you- I DO NOT like kale.
It’s very healthy, so I keep giving it a try. But…it often ends with a beautiful bowl or plate that I just can’t eat more than a bite or two. Seriously…it is not a flavor or texture that I often enjoy.
And then, someone told me about massaging kale. I’m sorry…what now?!?
That’s right! The secret is to massage the kale…typically with a citrus and olive oil combo. This helps to break down the chewy texture, reduce the bitterness, and infuses the green leaves with a citrus flavor.
For this wintery salad, I added pomegranate seeds, Parmesan shreds, bacon, and slivered almonds. The dressing, AKA massage oil, was created from pomegranate juice, lime juice, orange juice, honey, and olive oil. Simple, beautiful, and SO GOOD!
So, please believe me when I say- this pomegranate and parmesan kale salad is glorious!!!! Crunchy, sweet, salty…I can actually finish the entire plate!
Ingredients in Pomegranate & Parmesan Kale Salad
Kale
Olive Oil
Lime Juice
Orange Juice
Honey
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate Seeds
Bacon
Parmesan Cheese
Almonds
HOW TO MASSAGE KALE
- Place the kale, sans stems, in a large mixing bowl. Next, drizzle with lemon or lime juice, olive oil, and salt.
- With clean hands, massage the kale leaves until they become soft and reduce by about half of the size.
- That’s all! Allow to sit while you assemble the toppings for your salad.
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT KALE?
It’s been coined “the most nutrient-dense food on the planet…” I can neither confirm nor deny the validity of this statement, but it sounds very compelling.
One raw cup provides
– Over 200% of your daily Vitamin A
– Over 100% of your daily Vitamin C
– Only 33 calories
– 2 grams of fiber
– 3 grams of protein
Loaded with antioxidants
You know…those things that help reverse oxidative damage.
Can help lower cholesterol
15 minutes
Pomegranate & Parmesan Kale Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 c. pomegranate juice
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
- 1 tsp. honey
Salad
- 1 bunch kale leaves (about 4 cups)
- 4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 c. pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/4 c. sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk or shake the olive oil, pomegranate juice, lime juice, orange juice, and honey. In a large mixing bowl, pour the dressing over the kale and massage for 2-3 minutes. Allow to sit.
- Top kale with crumbled bacon, pomegranate seeds, Parmesan, and almonds.