This chopped kale salad, with the pop of pomegranate seeds and creamy avocado, is truly one of the best salad recipes I've made.
It's safe to say that this is one of the best salads I've ever made. I never really thought that I'd say that about raw chopped kale, but I am forever smitten with this dark leafy green. Add the pop and tang of pomegranate seeds, creamy avocado pieces, a bright lemon dressing and a smidgen of Parmesan cheese, and you've got a keeper. The inspiration for this salad comes in the form of one of my favorite people that I've met on this blogging journey; someone who is so down to earth that we might have to hose the dirt off of her.
Kelley is the blogger behind Mountain Mama Cooks and she lives within spitting distance of the Park City ski resorts, and about 40 minutes from me. Not only does she make recipes for her blog, photograph them beautifully and share them with the world, but she also runs a very busy personal chef business (those lucky clients!), raises two beautiful little boys and snowboards like nobody's business. A modern day, alpine superwoman, I'd say.
Kelley and I, along with our families, got together for a winter feast (cheese and beef fondues included) and shared the recipes in the debut issue of Foodiecrush Magazine last year. See the online version here (our feature starts on p. 62). One of the stars of the day (well, besides Kelley's youngest...you just want to kiss those cheeks of his) was Kelley's Kale Salad with Currants, Pine Nuts & Parmesan. It was my first experience with raw kale and I was blown away. This was a salad I could eat all day, every day.
This salad is my way of tipping my hat to Kelley and thanking her for introducing me to this vitamin-packed food. Pomegranates, which are shown to lower the risks of various cancers, are at their height right now and seemed like a natural pairing with the kale and avocado. If you're uncertain about seeding them (I was too, at first), head to my post on How to: Seed a Pomegranate. Their pleasing pop and tangy flavor add something special to green salads.
Now, on to the salad.
The chopped kale salad:
In a large bowl, combine the kale, pomegranate seeds, avocado and Parmesan cheese. Toss gently.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, agave nectar (or honey), salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve.
Other chopped kale salad recipes:
Warm Kale Salad with Caramelized Onions & Mushrooms
Kale, Toasted Almond & Orange Salad
Thai Roasted Potato Kale Salad
Chopped Kale Salad Recipe with Pomegranate & Avocado
Ingredients
The Salad:
- 3-4 large kale leaves stems removed, leaves chopped (about 5 cups)
- ¾ cups pomegranate seeds about 1 pomegranate
- ½ avocado diced
- ¼ cup packed grated Parmesan cheese
The Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon agave nectar or honey
- â…› teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
The Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the kale, pomegranate seeds, avocado and Parmesan cheese. Toss gently.
The Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, agave nectar (or honey), salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Lori @ RecipeGirl
I love, love, love Kale! Such a yummy salad- thank you!
Phoukham Thepboury
MMMm..looks really yummy .. I wish I stumble on this recipe earlier when I had a pail ful of pomegrantes.. I'll surely try it tho.
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily
This does sound good! I'll have to give raw kale another try. I adore kale but haven't been able to get used to it raw.
My dad has a house in Midway, we'll have to visit next time we're there! 😉
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife
This is so bright and perfect for winter!
Donna
Wow. Healthy and delicious are an unbeatable combo!
Rachael (Fuji Mama)
I can't think of a more beautifully perfect combination!!!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Love this salad! It's gorgeous!
Lynda - TasteFood
I love kale salads. This looks lovely with the pomegranate. Thank you for the link!
Becky @ Olives n Wine
Holy moly, I am in love with all of these ingredients right now! Kale... Pomegranate... Avocado.... YUM!! This is going on my list for next week 🙂
Laura @ Family Spice
I love kale, but it's rough for me to eat raw, unless I chop it small add it with other greens. Love the addition of pomegranate - of course!
Kelsey
The colors in this are just gorgeous and I bet the mix of textures is perfect!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
I love a good kale salad like this. Looks awesome!
TorontoRunner
Just been browsing through your blog!!
Thanks for sharing the recipe's. Also, you've got the BEST pictures!
megan @ whatmegansmaking
The idea of Kale salad makes me a little nervous, but this does sound really good! And it's pretty too 🙂
ashley - baker by nature
Ooooooh my - Could this salad get any better?!
Jen @ Savory Simple
I love everything about this salad!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This is so beautiful! Love the contrast of red pomegranate seeds against the dark green of kale.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
I gotta get on this kale tour, it's everywhere and rightly so. It tastes amazing if used wisely...and yours is awesome looking! Great job 🙂
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
A salad never looked prettier!
Shea Goldstein
I love a good in-season salad. Your pictures are beautiful, by the way!