Kale Salad with Apple and Spiced Pecans

Yield: 4 servings

This salad is delicious, nutritious, and gets better with time. It’s a wonderful way to spotlight seasonal winter greens. Give it a spin!

Ingredients for salad:

• 1 bunch kale, washed, stems removed, and leaves  into thin ribbons
• 1 apple, chopped into matchstick-shaped pieces
• 3 ounces Parmesan cheese, thinly sliced with a vegetable peeler

Ingredients for dressing:

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground mustard (Dijon works too)
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Ingredients for spiced pecans:

• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup pecan halves

Procedure:

1. In a medium bowl, toss together the kale, apple, and parmesan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk to combine the vinegar, molasses, mustard, shallot, and olive oil. Toss the dressing with the salad and let sit at room temperature for one hour.
3. In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cinnamon, red pepper, sugar, and pecans. Saute the pecans until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has been absorbed by the nuts. Spread nuts on parchment paper or aluminum foil to cool. Toss pecans with salad and serve.

Adapted from Design*Sponge