Ah, kale—it’s the green underdog that once felt like the spinach’s awkward cousin but has now become the rock star of leafy greens. I remember the first time I tried kale in a salad; skeptical, yet curious, and wow, was I surprised! This chopped kale Greek salad is like a fresh breeze on a scorching summer day—crispy, tangy, and downright refreshing.
Steps
- Start by massaging the finely chopped kale leaves with about a tablespoon of olive oil for a few minutes to soften them.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the massaged kale with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, rinsed and drained chickpeas, thinly sliced red onion, pitted Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Prepare the garlic parsley vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil, finely chopped fresh parsley, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, red wine vinegar, pressed garlic cloves, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
- Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the bowl and toss everything together until all the components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch (approximately 10 ounces) of kale leaves, finely chopped
- 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Garlic parsley vinaigrette (recipe below)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
FAQ
- What is the best way to prepare kale for this salad?
- To prepare kale for the salad, massage the leaves with a tablespoon of olive oil for a few minutes. This helps to soften the kale and makes it more enjoyable to eat.
- Can I substitute any of the ingredients in the Greek salad?
- Yes, you can substitute ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. For example, you can use different types of olives or substitute the feta cheese with a dairy-free option if needed.
- How can I make the garlic parsley vinaigrette?
- To make the garlic parsley vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, fresh parsley, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
- Yes, this salad is great for meal prep. You can prepare the ingredients in advance and store them separately. Just toss everything together with the vinaigrette before serving to keep it fresh.
- What can I do if I don’t have fresh parsley for the vinaigrette?
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley, but adjust the quantity as dried herbs are more concentrated. Alternatively, you can try other fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for a different flavor profile.
Tips
- Massage the Kale: Before adding kale to your salad, massage it for a few minutes with a tablespoon of olive oil. This helps soften the leaves and enhance their flavor.
- Balance the Ingredients: Ensure the salad has a good mix of textures and flavors by evenly distributing the tomatoes, cucumber, garbanzo beans, olives, and feta cheese throughout.
- Make the Vinaigrette Fresh: For the best taste, prepare the garlic parsley lemon vinaigrette fresh. Whisk the ingredients together just before tossing them with the salad to maintain their vibrant flavors.
- Adjust Seasoning: After mixing the salad, taste it and adjust the seasoning as necessary. You might need a bit more salt or pepper depending on your preference and the freshness of the ingredients.
Equipment
- Salad Spinner – Useful for washing and drying kale leaves efficiently.
- Citrus Juicer – To easily extract fresh lemon juice.
- Garlic Press – For pressing garlic cloves for the vinaigrette.
- Whisk – For blending the vinaigrette ingredients thoroughly.
- Large Mixing Bowl – To toss and mix the salad ingredients together.
