Abigail and Arthur’s Kale Salad

Posted by Stephanie Meyer on Nov 1, 2010 at 11:45am

I first wrote about this recipe a few weeks ago when I described our trip to San Francisco. My friend Maud’s brother Arthur made a delicious kale salad for us, and I couldn’t wait to make it at home and post it for you. In the process of raving about it on Facebook, I found out that the recipe originally came from Maud and Arthur’s sister Abigail! She claims she didn’t make it up herself, but I’m happy to give her credit for introducing it to me via Arthur. She said that Arthur added the nuts (a good addition).

The kale in the salad is raw, yet tender, because it sits tossed with some lemon juice for a bit (the acid tenderizes the greens). In fact, I kept leftovers in the fridge overnight and enjoyed it completely the next day. Abigail notes that it is always popular on buffets – as we all know, it’s not easy to find a green salad that can sit nicely (and even improve) on a buffet! I’m thinking…Thanksgiving. Yes.

I brought some to Debbie & Stu the Wine Genius’ home last week and had Stu asking me for the recipe over the weekend. I’ve got a nasty double-whammy sinus infection/pneumonia going on – grrr – so I’ve been a little slow posting this. But here it is! I made it for myself today, in fact, adding garlic to give my immune system a kick in the you know what.

I also added fresh dill, since I love fresh dill with lemon juice and feta cheese. You could add your favorite fresh herb, or none at all, per the original recipe. Thanks Arthur and Abigail!

Abigail and Arthur’s Kale Salad
Serves 4

1 large bunch Lacinato kale (also known as Dino kale – it’s crinkly, like dinosaur skin!), center ribs removed, leaves cut into thin strips (chiffonade)
1 shallot, sliced thin
1 1/2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt + more
1/3 c. pine nuts or chopped walnuts, toasted
1/3 c. crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup small dill sprigs (optional)
freshly ground black pepper

About one hour before you plan to eat, put kale and shallot in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss to coat thoroughly. Let sit for one hour.

To serve, add toasted nuts, feta cheese, and dill sprigs to salad and toss thoroughly. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

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Older Comments

  1. By FreshTartSteph on January 25, 2012 at 5:39PM

    Hi Lauren - YUM, love the idea of both of those additions, must have been gorgeous. Yay!

  2. By lauren on January 24, 2012 at 4:22PM

    I tried this salad this weekend added quinoa and pomegranate seeds! It was amazing! Can't wait to make this again!

  3. By FreshTartSteph on June 30, 2011 at 1:56PM

    Thank you TGOTG!

  4. By TGOTG on June 28, 2011 at 11:54AM

    This looks delish, we love Kale! Try our version of the Kale Salad http://www.twogirlsonthego.com/2011/06/garlic-kale-salad.html

  5. By FreshTartSteph on March 11, 2011 at 11:54AM

    Wow, that completely rocks, thank you so much! And to Arthur & Abigail of course. I appreciate the note and that you've passed my blog along - the highest form of praise, so cool. Have a great weekend!

  6. By Btownlaurac on March 11, 2011 at 11:23AM

    This is the BEST salad in creation. I found your recipe through Tastespotting, I've passed along your website to pretty much everyone I know, and I haven't met a person yet who didn't agree that salad has never tasted so good. Absolutely divine. Thanks! Great blog!

  7. By Quay Po Cooks on November 15, 2010 at 7:07AM

    Give me any salad, I am happy girl:D This salad looks delish!

  8. By FreshTartSteph on November 11, 2010 at 6:08AM

    Maggie, thanks for featuring the recipe! In very nice company, how flattering :) It is like eating a bowl of delicious nutrition, tastes and feels good.
    ncapuana, that's awesome to hear, thanks for leaving the note. It's my new favorite way to eat kale too, I think it's the lemon, softens the mineral-iness. Good stuff!

  9. By ncapuana on November 10, 2010 at 11:09AM

    This was awesome and quite possibly my new favorite way to eat kale (the other favorite are roasted kale chips)! I had a friend over who has many allergies so I left out the dairy and nuts but even then it was delicious and so easy to make - everyone loved it. I also used red onion instead of the shallot and it was fine.

  10. By 24Savvy on November 10, 2010 at 10:26AM

    Kale is one of those under-loved, inexpensive wonder-foods that pack a mighty nutritional punch - perfect for warding off colds. Thanks for creating such a yummy recipe with one of our fave veggies! We featured this article on our site! Check it out:

    http://www.24savvy.com/?q=articles/11-10-2010/hump-day-link-love-savvy-seven-things-to-knowseedo-week

    Maggie
    24/Savvy Team

  11. By fuzzles on November 10, 2010 at 9:21AM

    Awesome! Thanks!

  12. By FreshTartSteph on November 9, 2010 at 5:33PM

    Hi fuzzles! Yes, both stores (should) carry it, I picked it up at Whole Foods, but I'm 99% sure I've bought it at Byerly's too.

  13. By fuzzles on November 9, 2010 at 4:25PM

    Yum! You're in my area. I'm guessing Byerly's or Kowalski's for that particular variety of kale? I was thinking the same thing about Thanksgiving! :feedme:

  14. By FreshTartSteph on November 3, 2010 at 8:30AM

    Thanks lauren & FinnLover! Ah yes, you'd want this type of kale, it's much more tender than other varieties, in terms of eating it raw. Although, you could experiment with the lemon juice and see if it works its acidic magic on another version - let me know if you play around! :)

  15. By FinnLover on November 3, 2010 at 4:45AM

    Oh, this salad looks delicious! Beautiful photos too. I'll have to try this when I visit my family in North America next month. Not sure I'll find that specific type of kale in Norway. I already have a hard time finding really basic ingredients.

  16. By lauren on November 2, 2010 at 10:05AM

    I want to try this, it looks sooo delicious!!!!

  17. By FreshTartSteph on November 2, 2010 at 6:35AM

    Sarah - Knowing your style and what you like, I predict that you'll love it. You photography site is stunning, by the way! "Woo!" ;)
    Vegolicious - Thank you for the kind invitation, I'd love to. The gallery is gorgeous, can't wait to look through it for vegetable recipes!

  18. By Vegolicious on November 2, 2010 at 3:54AM

    I love kale, it's a great vegetable often overlooked.

    I’d love for you to submit one of your beautiful photos, and a link to your post, to my new vegetarian photo gallery showcasing the best vegetarian dishes and recipes on the web.

  19. By Sarah – A Beach Home Companion on November 1, 2010 at 10:34PM

    I've developed a real crush on kale over the last couple years, but usually use the regular stuff, not the Tuscan. That means I have to cook it, which is fine, but this looks like another great way to add it to my diet. I can't wait to give it a try.

  20. By abigailo on November 1, 2010 at 2:06PM

    it just keeps getting better and better! Looks delish - what lovely photos!

  21. By Website admin on November 1, 2010 at 12:06PM

    Thanks for finding out the recipe, Stephanie, and for posting it!