Harvest Kale Salad Apples Pears (Printer-Friendly)

Crisp kale mixed with fruit, pecans, and honey dressing for a fresh and flavorful fall salad.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Salad Components

01 - 4 cups kale, chopped and stems removed
02 - 3 cups Brussels sprouts, halved
03 - 1 large Fuji apple, thinly sliced
04 - 1 ripe Bartlett pear, thinly sliced
05 - ½ cup dried cranberries
06 - ½ cup raw pecan halves, lightly toasted
07 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Honey Dressing

08 - ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1½ tablespoons honey
12 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - Pinch ground cinnamon

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Wash and thoroughly dry kale, Brussels sprouts, apple, and pear to retain crunch. Remove kale stems and chop into bite-sized ribbons. Halve Brussels sprouts lengthwise for even cooking.
02 - Heat pecan halves in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until fragrant and lightly golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool, preventing burning.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, sea salt, black pepper, and cinnamon until fully emulsified. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
04 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Add one-third of the dressing and massage with clean hands for 2 to 3 minutes until leaves soften and darken.
05 - Combine massaged kale, Brussels sprouts (raw or roasted), apple, pear, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta. Drizzle remaining dressing and toss gently to coat.
06 - Transfer to serving platter or individual bowls, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

# Additional Suggestions:

01 - Massage kale to tenderize leaves and improve dressing absorption.
02 - Roast Brussels sprouts at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes with olive oil and salt for additional depth.
03 - Slice apples and pears uniformly for consistent texture and presentation.
04 - Chill serving plates to maintain salad crispness when serving.

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