Quick and Easy Sesame Kale Salad
There is hardly a salad more delicious than this wonderfully quick and easy sesame kale salad. I can thank my dad for this recipe. He loves a good kale salad recipe, and when given an opportunity, he buys kale. As you know, we live out in the middle of beautiful “nowhere”, so it is not always common to find pre-made healthy kale dishes, so we decided we needed to come up with a quick kale salad for dad to take to work. This is a salad we can whip together in no time with only a few ingredients, and you will not believe the wonderful flavor that comes out of such simple ingredients.
This week we also discovered that this simple salad is perfect for New England’s changing weather, where electricity all of a sudden can be a thing of the past. We experienced a loss of power several times this past week, hence, a recipe that requires no power. But let me assure you, that though this recipe requires no cooking, it is filled with powerful nutrients that will fuel your body for hours to come.
It’s the perfect choice for a light lunch, a side salad at dinner time, or even an after-dinner snack when you want something fresh and healthy. This salad recipe is perfect for an easy meal anywhere, and can easily be modified or have ingredients added to include new flavors. The ideas are endless, making it one of my favorite fresh dishes.
Let’s Talk Salad Ingredients:
Kale:
Kale happens to be one of those super foods that have taken the health world by storm, but it’s not overhyped in the least. Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, which makes it the perfect salad base. This leafy green is high in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins A, C, K, B6, just to mention a few. It is one of those vegetables that we could and probably should eat every day for its incredible nutritional value.
When you buy kale, make sure the color is dark green and the leaves are fresh and crisp. The leaves should not be wilted. Kale is sold in boxes, bags, or by the fresh pound, typically next to other leafy greens such as spinach or mustard greens.
We remove the kale stalks for this salad, as the stalk is tough to eat raw. If you can find it at your local store or farmer’s market.
I have a couple of other wonderful kale recipes on my website:
Sesame seeds:
Sesame seeds happen to be very rich in calcium making it a perfect addition in many recipes. It is an excellent little item to add to your diet, and it is oh-so-good in salads, sandwiches, soups, and so many more recipes. These delicious seeds are high in fiber and vitamins that make it an excellent healthy addition. When toasted, you’ll unleash a nutty, delicious flavor that knocks this salad out of the park. It also adds a wonderful crunchy texture. You’ll want to add enough sesame seeds to get one with every bite.
Toasting Sesame Seeds:
In a dry skillet, place a few tablespoons of sesame seeds. It requires no oil, and your pan should be clean and dry. On medium heat, let the seeds cook for about 3-4 minutes, occasionally stirring so they do not burn. Once the sesame seeds are fragrant and slightly golden brown, they are toasted to perfection.
It is always a good idea to keep some toasted seeds on hand to sprinkle over fresh foods for that extra fiber and nutrient boost. You can also toast pine nuts or sunflower seeds this way, if you’re looking to add a little variety or extra nutty flavors to your sesame kale salad. I think sesame seeds are the perfect addition because they have such a strong pop of flavor.
Agave Nectar:
We use organic agave nectar to add a slight touch of sweetness to balance the salad dressing’s flavor. We like it because it does contain traces of nutrients and fiber. Agave makes a great vegan sweetener in just about any recipe where you might otherwise use honey. It’s important to get agave syrup that is as unprocessed as possible to get the most health benefits.
Skip the vegetable oil. Instead, try Sesame Oil
Sesame has an incredible nutty flavor that is perfect for this salad dressing, and extends the nutty rich flavors of the toasted sesame seeds. I used pure sesame oil in this recipe, but it also works with toasted sesame oil. Sesame oil adds so much flavor to this kale salad recipe.
Tips for making this Sesame Kale Salad:
The most important thing when making this salad is probably the massaging of the kale. When we think of making a salad, it can be easy to forget about massaging the kale down because this is not something you have to do with lettuce or spinach. It only takes a few minutes to do, however, and it makes the salad so much more pleasant to eat.
Massaging will break down the structure of the kale and make it easier to eat when using fully grown kale. If you use baby kale, it is tender enough to eat on its own, but it will wilt quickly, so use grown kale for this salad. This will make sure the kale stays fresh and flavorful for your salad.
Click Here to Watch Me Make this Recipe on YouTube!
Print
Quick and Easy Sesame Kale Salad
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 small bunch of kale, green or red
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Braggs Liquid Aminos (soy sauce) (for a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free soy sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1–2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Clean and destem the kale.
- Break kale into bite-size pieces, and place into a large mixing bowl.
- In a small separate bowl, add the Braggs Liquid Aminos, agave nectar, and sesame oil, whisk to combine.
- Pour over the kale in the large mixing bowl.
- Message the kale for several minutes, which breaks down the kale’s structure, making it much easier to eat.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds and message to incorporate.
