Can't Stop Thinking About This Kale Waldorf Salad


When Deb from Kahakai Kitchen wrote about the surprising positive reception of a kale salad that she served at demonstration she hosted at her local Whole Foods, my curiosity piqued. Have I had kale raw before? Not to my recollection. The intimidation of the rough looking, pebbly, dinosaur scale exterior of the leaves suggested that I needed to cook it before I eat it. But a simple bite disproved my assumptions. When eaten raw, dinosaur kale leaves are surprisingly tender. 



This salad has won a spot at the table for our weekly dinner staple rotation because it is simply that good. And who can argue with getting more kale into your diet so effortlessly? The composition of toothsome but tender leaves, crunchy apples, sweet raisins and crisp walnuts adorned with a sweet, creamy, tangy dressing is brilliant. Did I mention it's raw and vegan? Vegan or not, it is superbly delicious. Thanks Deb for sharing!

Kale Waldorf Salad
Courtesy of Whole Foods Market via Kahakai Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 4 cups packed finely chopped raw kale, preferably dinosaur kale
  • 1 large red apple, such as Fuji or Honeycrisp
  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped, divided
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons raisins, divided
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons water, more if needed
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Method
  1. Place finely chopped kale in a large bowl. Chop half the apple and add to kale along with celery, 1/4 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup raisins. Chop remaining half of apple and put in a blender along with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts, remaining 2 tablespoons raisins, mustard, water, vinegar and salt. Purée until well combined and slightly thick, adding water if needed to thin. Pour dressing over kale salad and toss to combine.
Serves 6

51 comments:

Belinda @zomppa said...

Looks beautiful!!! Kale is so chock full of goodies.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Bold colors and stellar ingredients!

ann said...

So healthy, so delicious!

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

I love kale! Your salad looks beautiful! Would love to eat a bowl... :)

Angie's Recipes said...

I am a salad fan :-) This looks very healthy and tasty as well.

Sherry said...

Oh, YES!

lululu said...

I've never had kale raw, just because I didn't know it could be that tempting.

La Table De Nana said...

I love kale too..recipes sounds and looks so good..One day soon I hope to make it..

Jamie said...

Mmmm I love kale, we all do, but I never would have thought of using it in a salad. Really. Love all the waldorfy ingredients. Delicious! And healthy to boot! Go you!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a healthy salad Christine. I don't use kale as much as I should. Thanks for the reminder.
Sam

Simply Life said...

Oooh looks like a salad I should try!

Deana Sidney said...

I got addicted to Kale salad from a place in brooklyn.. and to think I didn't even want to taste it when a friend ordered it! Spectacularly good and I've made it for years... never tried it any other way though... till now! lovely addition of the nuts and sweetness, can't wait to try!

From the Kitchen said...

I love Waldorf salad and kale but have never had the two at once nor kale uncooked. It looks delicious and healthy. I'm eager to try it.

Best,
Bonnie

bunkycooks said...

This is a great healthy salad. I cook kale frequently, but have never tried it raw.

Anonymous said...

This Waldorf salad with kale sounds excellent, very unique for sure and a must try!

Katrina (Betty Ray) said...

Hmmm...I've only cooked it too. This looks yummy though and well worth a try. Be well!

El said...

I've never eaten it raw. Thanks for the tip. The salad looks wonderful!

Pam said...

This is definitely a new one and it sounds delicious. I've never seen a recipe with raw kale before and will be trying it.

sally said...

My CSA box has been packed with kale lately. I'll have to give this recipe a try when my next box comes.

Victoria said...

Like you I never thought about eating kale raw, but I did once use mustard greens in a salad, and it worked so I guess why not, haha. This does look like a really nice salad :)

Barbara said...

Never would have occurred to me to eat it raw either, Christine! Thanks for trying it first! :) Love a good Waldorf salad and this will make it even better.

Table Talk said...

Kale is such a hearty green and can really hold up well to bold flavors. Love this one! Your little guy is off to the best start ever.

Mari Nuñez said...

It does look delicious. I know I will like it as well, it is also so nutritious to include these dark green leave veggies in the diet. Thanks for sharing the recipe, so that we can all enjoy.

Have a great afternoon :)

Stella said...

Hey Christine, I actually use the regular kale to make chilled kale salads, but I've heard that dinosaur kale is even better for it. And I love this no mayo recipe-that's so nice to not have the added fat. Plus, it looks so delicious...!

sweetlife said...

I have never tried kale raw, but your plate of goodness is really tempting me to give it a try!
I have been offline, how are you?
I read your post about your mom, I almost cried thinking of my mom, my father is really hard on her..to this day I know she puts up with way too much! I am sure your mom is thankful your hubby is so amazing...my mom loves my hubby and she gently reminds me to take care of him..have a great week!
sweetlife

Tasty Trix said...

I recently happened to taste some salted and olive-oiled kale that was waiting to be cooked, and I was surprised that it was really good. Now that I have seen it, I cannot stop thinking about this salad of yours either!

chow and chatter said...

wow great salad was it bitter at all

Fresh Local and Best said...

Rebecca - Kale is surprisingly very mild tasting, not bitter at all.

Magic of Spice said...

Kale is delightful as well as is this salad...Hope you are having a lovely week :)

Unknown said...

What a fascinating take on the waldorf salad. There are some really beautiful bright flavours here, I bet this is absolutely delicious!
*kisses* HH

Joanne said...

I was definitely intrigued when Deb posted this as well! I already know that I love a good Waldorf so I'm sure this would be the perfect gateway drug into the kale salad world! Yours looks fabulous!

nancy@good food matters said...

Hi Christine--I recently had kale salad for the first time, ---it was marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette with assorted vegetables. It was very good, so I have no doubt that this Waldorf version would be even better!!

Beth said...

What a gorgeous salad! And I love the close-up shot of the kale. Thanks to you for sharing, too!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Thanks for the shout out. ;-) Your pictures make it look so much better than mine did! ;-) I am so glad that you liked this salad--I have made it a few times now and I just love it too--such great flavor and you are right--who can argue with getting more kale into your diet. ;-)

lisaiscooking said...

I have to say, I'm a big fan of kale! Raw or cooked. I've also found that if your work the dressing into the kale leaves, it tenderizes them, and they begin to wilt into the dressing. The sweetness from the apples and raisins sound great in this.

La Bella Cooks said...

Incredibly healthy and sounds delicious. I have some kale I just bought today so now I know what I will be making with it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Claudia said...

This is coming to my dinner table tonight. All that welcoming green color lifts my spirit and the honeycrisp apple adds that wonderful sweetness I crave this time of year.

Jessica Vogelsang said...

Oh I love kale and waldorf salad. I have never done kale raw either but now that I know you can I certainly will. Happy to have found your blog. You just scored a new follower!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I've never eaten kale raw either but this salad definitely has my interest piqued.

Thank you, Christine, I can't wait to try it.

Catherine said...

How delicious! This looks fantastic and full of flavor!
Have a beautiful weekend! Blessings, Catherine~

That's Ron said...

such a thick green! pardon me, but what does kale taste like?

Chiara said...

It must have a delightful flavor Christine!I can't wait to try it, have a lovely weekend, a hug...

Fresh Local and Best said...

That's Ron - Yes, these greens are quite thick, and much denser than your typical salad greens. I think they taste milder than spinach, but the texture is much more toothsome. I want to say like the leaves of Chinese broccoli, but milder in flavor. I hope that is helpful.

OysterCulture said...

Oh wow, I was looking forward to something to add into my rotation and you've given it to me. Looks amazing and I feel surprisingly healthier already.

Catherine said...

Thank you for your birthday wishes. Blessings, Catherine xo

Emily said...

I love kale and am always looking for new recipes. This looks spectacular Christine! Hope you are doing well!

pigpigscorner said...

Kale always scares me a little, it looks really fibrous. I really have to try cooking sometime soon, maybe I'll change my mind about it!

tasteofbeirut said...

tried to leave a message a few days ago; so I will try again! Dear Christine, you are going to get me to try kale again~ I made kale chips a year ago, thought it was horrid and never touched that vegetable again~ yet,it is so so healthy~ your salad is the answer~

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

You got me. I have never tried kale raw. I always thought it had to be cooked, so I've been steaming away. This salad sounds so good - I'm on it!

White Hot Oven said...

I had the same thoughts of you the first time I encountered raw kale salad... but the dressing makes it happen.

Love to toss together avocado, red onion and chopped red pepper with kale (and a few seasonings)... so delicious!

Claiborne @ buttered bread said...

Will definitely be trying this! have been obsessed with the raw kale salad with chiles and pecorino from Melissa Clark's new cookbook, and I'm glad to have a vegan option.