Superfood kale salad with creamy herb dressing
99% of the year, I am not a salad person at all. But on the rare occasion that the sun does deign to shine here in the UK, I can’t bring myself to go anywhere near the oven, and all I want is something cold and refreshing. The sunshine has just about been hanging on the past few days (I think that’s probably all we’re getting now until next spring…), so I thought it was time to enjoy my annual salad. This time I went for a superfood kale salad, full of yummy bits!
I’m not generally a great fan of lettuce – it can often be a bit watery and nothingy, if that makes any sense. Kale is a much tastier alternative. It’s really good for you (reeeeally high in vitamins A and C!), and it’s got more of a bite to it than plain old lettuce – much more satisfying.
Sticking with the ‘superfood’ theme, I also added broccoli, pistachios, and cannellini beans. Although the term ‘superfood’ doesn’t really mean anything specific in a scientific sense, it’s usually used to refer to foods that are just seriously healthy, and all of these ingredients have been described as superfoods at one time or another for their healthy properties. You can swap in a different kind of nut or different kind of bean if you prefer – as long as you get that lovely combination of chewy kale, crunchy nuts and soft beans, you’re golden.
(the beautiful green linen was kindly sent to me from Linen Me – they have a lovely range, check em out!)
Don’t forget the creamy basil dressing too! It’s nice and simple, and easy to make, but it adds a real punch to this superfood kale salad. It’s creamy, it’s herby, it’s lemony, and it helps to bring all these tasty superfoods together into a cohesive salad. Serve your kale salad as a meal in its own right or on the side of a protein of your choice, and you’ve got yourself a tasty and healthy dinner!
Superfood kale salad with creamy herb dressing
Ingredients
For the superfood salad:
- 1/2 head broccoli, separated into florets
- 100 g roughly chopped curly kale (~4 cups)
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 100 g cooked cannellini beans (~1/2 cup, or just under 1/2 a tin)
- 40 g shelled pistachio nuts (~ 1/4 cup)
For the dressing:
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 small clove garlic, peeled
- Small bunch fresh basil
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt (or vegan yogurt)
- 1/4 tsp onion granules
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Start by cooking the broccoli florets in a steamer until al dente. If you don't have a steamer, boil the broccoli for a few minutes instead. When the broccoli is just tender, rinse it in cold water and set aside to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, put the chopped kale in a large bowl, and add about a teaspoon of olive oil. Massage the kale with your fingertips for 30 seconds or so to help soften it up.
- Add the remaining salad ingredients to the bowl, including the cooled broccoli, and mix to combine.
- To make the creamy herb dressing, add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to a mini food processor, along with the lemon juice, garlic clove, and fresh basil. Blitz well until no large pieces of basil or garlic remain. Add the Greek yogurt, onion granules, and a good pinch of salt and pepper, and blitz again to combine.
- Serve the salad with the creamy dressing.
Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose. Information above is for half the recipe.
I absolutely love kale but find sometimes it can be very bland. this sounds like a very yummy way to serve it
This salad looks perfect for a sunny day in the garden, I feel the weather makes me want to pack the veggies into my food :) xx
I like mine baked, I never miss a bag of kale chips in Pret these days. But I’m liking the combo with butterbeans so will have to remember this. You want pumpkin seeds on top to make it really superfood ;-)
I’ve only had kale chips once but will have to keep an eye out for them again if they’re nice! I do love slightly crispy kale when it’s been roasted (I like putting it on pizza!)
Becca! This looks so fantastic!!! It just looks clean and healthy and ridiculously refreshing!!! this is a keeper :)
I make a lemon, kale, and cannellini soup all the time in the winter, this is the perfect summer version!
That sounds fab!
I actually really like Kale but I don’t have it enough! Hope this weather gets warmer again because this salad would be great! Also, the herb dressing sounds delicious!
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Thank you
Looks good! I can’t spot your actual recipes anywhere though? I can see a picture of the ‘black and blue smoothie’ but not the recipe?
This looks yummy and right up my street. Will definetly try it. I also love avocado so will give the other one a go too x
I feel healthier just looking at this salad! But it sounds so tasty and wonderful too. Pinned :-)
I am waiting to take lunch and this looks sooooooo good!
Ive never had kale before but these salads would be perfect for Summer meals
I’m a big salad fan when the weather is fine but I’ve never used Kale in one which is strange as I cook and juice with it a lot. Going to give it a try – thanks for the inspiration.
Oh wow, kale juice! I’ve seen it used in smoothies but didn’t know it had much juice?!
Mmm yum! I do believe I have all the ingredients for this salad in my kitchen! I think that’s lunch sorted today, thank you! :)
Hope you enjoy! :)
I must admit, I’m not a fan of kale but I’d try this with spinach or rocket as I like the other ingredients! xxx
Spinach and rocket would be great in this too! Much nicer than watery iceberg lettuce :)
I love salads and this one looks great especially with that dressing, yum!
I really need to eat more salads, these do look yummy! Perfect for the coming summer :)
I am not a salad person myself and I do not care for kale but looking at your salad I am willing to try anything. Thanks for the recipe
I’ve never really been a fan of kale but I am trying to push it into my diet a bit more x
Im a massively fussy eater (I don’t eat fruit or veg – seriously like none) but in my weird messed up mind, this looks really nice and if I could get over the fact its a salad maybe id try it! haha
Haha how can you not eat veg?! I absolutely love veggies! :D
I’m not a huge lettuce lover either and this is why I don’t eat many salads – I think I need to give kale a go instead!
It’s got much more substance – doesn’t feel like you’re just eating water like it can do with lettuce!
I love broccoli in salads too and I am loving that creamy dressing. Stumbled, pinned and yummed.
Broccoli is always great for bulking out a salad and making it more filling :)
The avocado salad is definitely more me, I am obsessed with it x
Yes totally agree that it’s good to get a range of textures, chewy, crunchy, soft etc. into a salad to make it more satisfying!
This would be perfect for my homegrown kale. Love the idea of the creamy beans in this, Becca. Lush!
Love the addition of cannellini beans and pistachios! A beautiful salad.
Ha! Well this is perfect for your annual salad :) It looks fantastic and the creamy herb dressing sounds lush.
This looks spectacular Becca!! We dont do kale often enough at our home.. but if i do, i am so trying this.
What a delicious looking salad! I love mixing my salad with a bit of iceberg or butter lettuce with kale.
Yum! The kale is growing like mad here, so this is awesome! I’ve been braising mine, but I need to try it in a salad. I love the beans in it.. sounds amazing.
Ooh do you grow your own?! I’m so impressed, I’d love to grow my own veg, but I seem to kill everything I touch!
That looks delicious! I love kale salad and cannellini beans but I’ve never had them together! Yum!
Omg the weather has been such a mess in the UK! Sometimes, I just don’t know whether to knock out a salad or a soup! It does seem to be hanging on though so a beautiful salad like this won’t hurt!