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Crunch Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 147 reviews

A vibrant and crunchy salad combining hearty kale and cabbage with fresh apple, cucumbers, and celery, tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing and topped with crunchy peanuts, seeds, and crumbled feta cheese. This refreshing salad balances bold flavors with varied textures for a nutritious and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

  • 1 large bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Pinch of cumin (optional)
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad

  • 1 (10 to 12-oz.) bunch lacinato kale, chopped or torn into small pieces
  • 1/4 small green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 granny smith apple, diced (about 1/4” pieces)
  • 3 Persian or kirby cucumbers, diced (about 1/4” pieces)
  • 2 stalks celery, diced (about 1/4” pieces)
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup roasted and unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup roasted and unsalted seeds (such as sunflower or pumpkin)
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: Add the cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and honey into a food processor or blender. Blend everything until the cilantro is chopped finely, then slowly stream in the olive oil while continuing to blend until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Season with a pinch of cumin (if using), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  2. Prepare the kale: Place the chopped kale into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes until the leaves darken slightly and soften, which helps reduce bitterness and improve texture.
  3. Assemble the salad: To the massaged kale, add the chopped green cabbage, diced apple, diced cucumbers, diced celery, and thinly sliced scallions. Toss gently to combine all the vegetables evenly.
  4. Add crunch and cheese: Sprinkle the roughly chopped peanuts, mixed roasted seeds, and crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad. Pour the prepared cilantro lime dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.

Notes

  • You can substitute the feta cheese with a vegan cheese alternative to make the salad vegan-friendly.
  • If you prefer a spicier dressing, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce while blending the dressing.
  • To keep the salad fresh longer, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving.
  • Massage the kale well to tenderize it and reduce bitterness, making it more palatable.
  • Use unsalted nuts and seeds to better control the saltiness of the salad.

Keywords: Crunch Salad, kale salad, cilantro lime dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, crunchy salad with nuts and seeds

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/crunch-salad-recipe/