Kale Caesar Salad with Garlic Breadcrumbs

Kale Caesar Salad with Garlic Breadcrumbs

• 1 bunch kale (curly or lacinato, stems removed, leaves torn or roughly chopped)
• 4 tbsp Caesar dressing (see notes)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan (finely grated with a microplane)
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

1. Add kale (curly or lacinato), stems removed, leaves torn or roughly chopped to a large bowl. Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then massage firmly with your hands for 2-3 minutes until the leaves darken, soften, and reduce in volume by about half. This is the key step. It breaks down the fibrous texture and makes kale actually pleasant to eat.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a few garlic cloves, minced and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add panko breadcrumbs and stir frequently for 5-7 minutes until evenly golden brown. Watch closely as panko can go from golden to burnt quickly. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Add Caesar dressing to the massaged kale and toss well to coat every leaf. Start with a few tablespoons and add more to taste. The dressing should be punchy and generous.
4. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate for the best presentation. Grate Parmesan finely with a microplane generously over the top. Go heavy, you should barely see the kale underneath. Finish with a big handful of garlic breadcrumbs and serve immediately.

• Massaging the kale is non-negotiable. It's what separates a good kale salad from a tough, bitter one. Don't skip it!
• I used my Super Caesar Dressing as the base for this recipe. Use your favorite homemade Caesar or a high-quality store-bought. A punchy, lemony, anchovy-forward dressing works best here.
• A microplane is key for the Parmesan. It produces a light, snowy texture that coats the salad rather than clumping. Pre-grated Parmesan won't give the same result. Go heavy on the Parmesan!
• Garlic breadcrumbs are far superior to plain croutons here. They don't cut your mouth and stay crunchy throughout the salad.
• The dressed salad holds up better than most greens. Massaged kale won't wilt quickly, so it can sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Micronutrient Highlights

Vitamin K, C, and A, Calcium, Iron, Allicin, and Selenium

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