Kale Pomegranate Salad

This loaded vegan kale pomegranate salad drizzled with an apple cider-dijon dressing is a delicious upgrade from typical kale salads. Perfect for lunch, dinner or better yet–add it to your Thanksgiving and Christmas menu!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice mix
• Vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, Diamond Crystal Brand
• 2 cups raw pecans
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup, grade A
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, Diamond Crystal brand
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 tablespoons quality olive oil
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 2 clove garlic, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt - Diamond Crystal brand, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup, grade A
• 2 teaspoons water, plus more to thin out to desired consistency
• 2 bunches curly kale, stems removed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon quality oil
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 2 asian pear, medium-sized, diced
• 5 ounces goat or feta cheese

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Wild Rice Blend ---
2. 2Cook rice as directed on the package. Substitute water with vegetable or chicken broth + ¼ tsp kosher salt.
3. 3--- Maple Glazed Pecans ---
4. 4Preheat oven to 350°F.
5. 5Add raw pecans, unsalted butter, maple syrup, kosher salt, and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl and mix well.
6. 6Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour pecans onto baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
7. 7Place in oven. Stir after the first 10 minutes. Check after 5 minutes and remove once pecans are deep brown in color. Remove from oven, stir once more and leave to cool to room temp.
8. 8--- Dressing ---
9. 9Add all ingredients to a sterile jar and shake vigorously to combine. Will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week.
10. 10--- Massage Kale ---
11. 11Add kale, lemon juice, olive oil and pinch of kosher salt to a large mixing bowl. Gently massage kale with hands for 2-3 minutes or until texture is noticeably softer, but still has a crunchy bite to it. Set aside until ready for assembly.
12. 12--- Assembly ---
13. 13Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Pour desired amount of apple cider-dijon dressing and mix well. Be sure to scoop from the bottom when mixing as the heavier ingredients gravitate to the bottom of the bowl.
14. 14Serve immediately. If you plan to serve later, wait to add apple cider-dijon dressing.