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Understanding the appeal of a refreshing salad is essential for anyone looking to elevate their culinary repertoire. The Zesty Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad combines robust flavors with wholesome ingredients that cater to various dietary preferences. Kale is often hailed for its incredible nutritional benefits, but it can sometimes come across as a tough green that lacks flavor. In this salad, we transform kale into a delightful dish that's bursting with flavor thanks to the magical combination of zesty lemon, rich Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil.

Zesty Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad Recipe

This refreshing salad features massaged kale tossed with a zesty lemon dressing, topped with Parmesan cheese and optional nuts and tomatoes for added texture and flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch fresh kale
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, add chopped kale and sprinkle with salt.
  • Massage the kale for 2-3 minutes until tender.
  • In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • Drizzle dressing over the kale and toss to coat.
  • Add Parmesan cheese and toss gently to mix.
  • If desired, add toasted nuts and halved cherry tomatoes.
  • Mix gently to combine all ingredients.
  • Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve in a large bowl or on individual plates.
  • Garnish with extra Parmesan and lemon wedges.

Notes

Let the salad rest for a few minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
Keyword healthy, kale, lemon, Parmesan, salad, vegetarian