Harvest Kale Salad Apples Pears (Printer-Friendly Version)
Fresh kale with apples, pears, pecans, feta, and honey dressing for a colorful, crisp fall dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Greens and Vegetables
01 -
4 cups kale, chopped, stems removed
02 -
3 cups Brussels sprouts, halved
→ Fruits
03 -
1 large Fuji apple, thinly sliced
04 -
1 ripe Bartlett pear, thinly sliced
→ Dried Fruit and Nuts
05 -
½ cup dried cranberries
06 -
½ cup raw pecan halves, lightly toasted
→ Dairy
07 -
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
→ Honey Dressing
08 -
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
09 -
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 -
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 -
1½ tablespoons honey
12 -
½ teaspoon sea salt
13 -
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 -
Pinch ground cinnamon
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Wash and thoroughly dry kale, Brussels sprouts, apple, and pear to maintain crispness. Remove tough stems from kale and chop into bite-sized ribbons. Halve Brussels sprouts lengthwise.
02 -
In a dry skillet over medium heat, stir pecan halves constantly for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Immediately transfer to a plate to cool.
03 -
Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, sea salt, black pepper, and cinnamon in a small bowl until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 -
Place chopped kale in a large bowl, drizzle with one-third of the dressing, and massage with clean hands for 2 to 3 minutes until leaves soften and darken.
05 -
Add Brussels sprouts (raw or lightly roasted), apple, pear, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta to the kale. Drizzle remaining dressing and gently toss to combine evenly.
06 -
Transfer salad to serving platter or individual bowls for a vibrant presentation. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Massaging kale breaks down fibrous texture for tenderness and better dressing absorption.
02 -
Roasting Brussels sprouts at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes enhances flavor with caramelized edges.
03 -
Uniformly slicing apples and pears ensures consistent texture and visual appeal.
04 -
Dressing the salad just before serving preserves the freshest crunch.