This pretty autumn salad tastes really good and feels comforting in that quiet, cozy way. The massaged kale is soft and slightly sweet along with crisp apples, juicy pomegranate, crunchy pistachios, and creamy goat cheese making every bite feel easy and satisfying, not the least bit restrictive.
Autumn in New York usually means a slight chill in the air, a visit to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard, and afternoon walks to admire the vibrant fall foliage.
It doesn’t mean softly falling snow.
But this morning I looked out the window only to see that it was snowing. I’m not ready for winter yet! Thankfully, the tiny snowflakes soon turned into rain.
But the unexpected snow reminded me that I need to relish every minute of this fall season. It goes by way too quickly.
So let’s celebrate with a beautiful autumn kale salad topped with apple slices, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and goat cheese.
This salad fits right into my easy gluten-free meal planning for the week. It’s quick, satisfying, and no stress at the store.
Before I jump into the recipe, I need to tell you a little secret. First of all, I love salads. I’ve loved eating them since I was a little girl. And the bigger the salad the better.
My family jokes that I’m like Elaine Benes in the Seinfeld episode where she keeps ordering the Big Salad.
But here’s the secret: I do not enjoy making salads. Believe it or not, I’d rather put on a strand of pearls like Julia Child and make one of her complicated recipes. Weird, right?
Salads are so easy and fast to make.
I think the reason why I don’t enjoy making them is because I usually have one every day for lunch. And what ends up happening is that they become pretty boring.
Greens, carrots, some peppers, red onions, etc. It’s an extremely nutritious salad, and it’s tasty, but it can get a little boring making the same salad day after day.
So today I was excited to change things up a bit and try to make the prettiest autumn salad with some of my favorite ingredients.
Ingredients
Kale: First, I’m using massaged kale like I did in my massaged kale, pistachio, tomatoes, and olives salad. If you’ve ever had a raw kale salad, you might have noticed that the kale was a little bitter and its texture a little coarse.
However, if you massage the kale for only about five minutes, it will begin to soften and wilt. This seems to break down its dense cellulose structure leaving it easier to digest and much tastier.
Read more about how to massage kale here.
Apples and pomegranate seeds: Next, this salad has two of my favorite autumn fruits: apples and pomegranates. Apples are actually my favorite fruit no matter the season.
You can read about some of the health benefits of apples here.
Pomegranate seeds are a powerful superfood. Read about the benefits of pomegranates here and in our article, “Amazing Pomegranates: One Of The Healthiest Foods In The World” packed with fascinating facts about pomegranates.
They’re loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect heart and brain health.
The red, jewel-like capsule (called an aril) that encloses the pomegranate seed provides vitamins B6, C, and potassium.
Not only do I love how nutritious the seeds are, but I also love how they explode with flavor in every forkful.
Goat cheese: I also crumbled goat cheese over the salad to add a lovely creaminess. The goat cheese I used is a Chèvre from the Vermont Creamery. This is a wonderfully tasty cheese.
Because goat’s milk is closer in comparison to human milk than that of a cow, some people with low tolerance to cow’s milk can tolerate goat’s milk. Read more about goat cheese here.
Pistachio nuts: And, finally, I tossed in a handful of toasted pistachios to add crunch, nutty flavor, and a touch of saltiness, balancing the sweetness of the apples and pomegranate seeds.
Feel free to select any type of nuts you prefer.
Tip: If you’re concerned about nuts manufactured on shared equipment with gluten containing products, check out Nuts.com that prominently labels which products of theirs are certified gluten-free.
How to make it
*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.
To begin, wash your kale and remove the leaves from the stems. Then as if you were kneading dough, start massaging those leaves with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and a little salt.
After about 2 minutes, you’ll actually feel the kale leaves’ tough structure starting to break down.
As you continue, keep massaging, rubbing the leaves together and tearing them apart. Gradually, you’ll notice the leaves turning a deeper green, and at the same time, the volume will shrink to about half.
Serving suggestions
For the dressing, I recommend just a light vinaigrette and a dash of salt.
Easy Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Jalapeño Sweet Potato Soup would be wonderful paired with this autumn salad.
And one of these quick recipes for a complete meal:
Sizzling broiled chicken breast
Pro tips and recipe notes
What type of kale is best for this salad? Today, I have curly kale. I have also used Lacinato kale (also known as dinosaur kale) or sweet red Russian kale from my garden. They all work well for this salad. Remove the tough stems and massage the leaves for a tender texture.
Can I use other greens instead of kale? Certainly, you can substitute it with spinach, arugula, or mixed greens if you prefer a different leafy base.
What apples are best for this salad? Today, I selected both a green apple and a red apple. Feel free to choose your preferred apple variety.
Can I make this salad in advance for a gathering? Yes, you can prepare the components separately and assemble the salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
There you have it. The perfect way to celebrate autumn.
Do you love salads as much as I do? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And please share this recipe with a friend who loves salads too. 😊
Have a happy and healthy week!
P.S. Love how effortless this salad feels? You can bring that same ease to dinner. I have a simple way to turn everyday chicken or fish into comforting, flavorful meals even on busy nights. Here’s an easy way to make dinner taste better tonight.
More nutritious recipes you’ll love
Gluten Free Cauliflower Flatbreads Serve warm from the skillet and piled with your favorite toppings.
How To Make Beef Bone Broth And Why It’s Good For You You can use bone broth as stock for your favorite soups or gravies (or even serve it as a refreshing broth).
Seasoned Cauliflower Rice With Bacon Cauliflower rice makes a delicious easy side dish that tastes just like fried rice. And it’s keto, low-carb, and whole 30 compliant too!
Gluten Free Surówka Surówka is a Polish sauerkraut, carrot and apple salad that’s nutritious and delicious.
Lemony Marinated Zucchini Salad, Easy No-Cook Side Dish Zucchini is delicious raw, especially when it is marinated before being added to a salad.
Festive Autumn Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- For massaged kale:
- a bunch of kale
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- juice of one lemon
- salt to taste
- For Toasting Pistachios:
- 20 pistachio nuts chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 small red apple sliced
- 1 small green apple sliced
- 1-2 tablespoons goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- season with salt and pepper
Instructions
- Massage the kale: Wash kale and remove the leaves from the stems.a bunch of kale
- Wash the leaves again, and place them in a large bowl. Add oil, lemon juice, and salt. Then as if you were kneading dough, start massaging those leaves. After about 2 minutes you will actually feel their tough structure breaking down. Continue to massage, rubbing the leaves together and tearing them apart. You'll notice the leaves turning a deeper green. The volume will shrink to about half, too.1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, juice of one lemon, salt to taste
- After 5 minutes, taste the kale. When you find the once bitter taste has been transformed to a lightly sweet and nutty taste, your kale is ready.
- Toast Pistachios: Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it bubbles and begins to brown. Turn off the flame and add garlic and pistachios. Stir well to coat the pistachios until slightly toasted.2 tablespoons butter, 1 garlic clove, 20 pistachio nuts
- Toss kale with your toasted pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and apple slices. Top with goat cheese and serve.1 small red apple, 1 small green apple, 1-2 tablespoons goat cheese, 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds, season with salt and pepper
Notes
Nutrition
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