Easy Kale Salad

This kale salad recipe is the best way to eat this leafy green! A simple dressing of lemon, garlic, and Parmesan makes it taste irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch Tuscan kale (about 8 ounces)*
• 1 very small or 1/2 medium garlic clove
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (3 to 4 tablespoons juice, plus zest)
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Homemade croutons (optional)

Instructions

Wash and dry the kale. Then destem and roughly chop the kale leaves.

Peel and mince the garlic clove. Sprinkle it with the salt, then holding the blunt edge of the knife, scrape the sharp edge of the blade over the minced garlic, holding the knife at an angle and mashing the garlic into a paste.

Place the paste in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and fresh ground black pepper, and whisk to combine. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir to combine.

Toss the dressing with the kale leaves. Serve topped with lemon zest (and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired).  If desired, serve with homemade croutons.