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Massaged Kale Salad

Ingredients

8 cups chopped, stemmed kale (about 1 large bunch)
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1/2 tsp. yellow or Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
3 Tbsp. unsalted, hulled sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp. grated, reduced-fat Parmesan cheese

Serves: 4

Prepare the kale. Lay each leaf onto a cutting board. Use a knife to cut each side of the kale leaf's rib to remove and discard it. (Kale ribs are quite bitter and tough, making it best to remove.) Repeat with remaining leaves. Then, slice the kale into about ½-inch pieces. If kale is still wet from washing, dry it in a salad spinner. In a large bowl, add lemon juice, oil, mustard, and pepper. Use a fork to mix dressing together. Add the chopped kale into the bowl. Use your fingers to gently massage the dressing into the kale until the kale has wilted from 8 cups to 6 cups, just a few minutes. Top kale salad with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan cheese. Serve.

Cooking Tip: Just a dab of mustard, like in this salad dressing, helps keep the oil and vinegar together in homemade dressings.

Keep it Healthy: Kale is a powerhouse when it comes to the amount of vitamins and minerals in it. Consider keeping a bag of frozen chopped kale on hand in the freezer; throw a few handfuls into soups or stews to increase the nutrition.

Tip: 1 (5-ounce) packaged container of chopped kale can be substituted for the 8 cups of kale. It’s a little more expensive than buying in a bunch; however, no washing or chopping is required.

Nutrition Facts (1 serving):
Calories: 184 kcal
Carbs: 15 g
Protein: 8 g
Sodium: 115 mg