Massaged kale salad with creamy avocado, tangy cranberries and nutty wild rice, this vegetarian recipe creates a delicious mouthful of textures. It’s a satisfying lunch or a wonderful side dish for dinner.
Give wild rice a rinse under cold water and drain.Add wild rice and at least 2 cups of water into a medium sized pot.Bring the pot of water to boil, then turn to low heat and let the wild rice simmer. Cook for approximately 45 minutes or until cooked. The rice is ready when tender but still has a chewy texture. Any grains that are bursting open, then it is most likely done.
Destem and finely slice kale into ribbons or small pieces.
Peel and cut the avocado into cubes.
Cut apple into cubes.
Roughly chop pistachio.
Salad Dressing
In a small bowl, add pomegranate molasses, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Mix together until well combined.
Assembly
In a large mixing bowl, add kale, olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Massage kale for 2 minutes so that the leaves are fully covered with the oil and become tender and pliable.
Place one cut avocado in the kale and continue to massage so that all the kale leaves are covered with a thin layer of avocado.
Add wild rice, avocado, dried cranberries, chopped pistachio and sunflower seeds to the massaged kale. Gently mix together.
Drizzle pomegranate molasses dressing over salad and mix again.
Finally, add cut apple into the massaged kale salad and gently toss together.
Tumble into a serving bowl.
Serve chilled.
Notes
If you can’t find wild rice, you can use black rice (AKA forbidden rice) or brown rice. Alternatively, other grains like quinoa or freekeh will work with kale salad.
If there is a nut allergy, omit pistachios and add extra sunflower seeds or pepitas. You can swap pistachio with pine nuts or even chopped walnuts.
Massaging kale is an important step. Make sure you rub the kale until the leaves soften.
Be sure to choose avocados that are fully ripe and soft to use.
You can prepare this salad up to 2-3 hours in advance.
If you want to prepare the night before, prep all the ingredients and assemble them as mentioned, except for the avocado and apple. Massage the avocado and add apples the next day to avoid them turning brown when left overnight.