Kansas City has a zillion amazing restaurants. But one of my newest favorite is a healthy fast-food alternative restaurant called “Unforked“. It is brilliant.
The owners/creators are actually the force behind Sheridan’s, one of my favorite local custard chains. (And they happen to attend the church where I work — fun!) But instead of your typical super-processed, deep-fried, zillion-calorie fast food restaurants, this place overflows with creative, fresh, and healthy options. I can’t get enough of it — everything I have tried is amazing. (Side note — I deeply hope this is what the majority of fast-food restaurants might look like in a decade!)
One of my new favorites there is their “Hale The Kale” salad. It is made simply from fresh kale, Parmesan, bread crumbs, and a lemony olive oil dressing. And it is utterly delicious! I had to admit that I had my doubts about so much fresh kale (I usually prefer adding my kale to pizzas, soups, or making kale chips). But when the other ingredients were added, it tasted wonderfully fresh, light and flavorful!
So while we’re still in the midst of kale season, I decided to try it at home. Decided to nix the breadcrumbs and add in some thyme, and loved it. Hope you do too!
Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped fresh kale
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- pinch of salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly-grated Parmesan
- 1/4 cup toasted bread crumbs (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, salt and pepper. Add kale and Parmesan (and bread crumbs, if using), and toss until the kale is evenly coated. Massage the dressing into the kale with your fingers for an extra minute or two until the kale is soft and dark green. Serve immediately.
Notes
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!Ali’s Tip:
This would also be great with some chopped/sliced fresh fruit added in, such as peaches, plums, apples, or blackberries. It would also be delicious with some toasted pecans, almonds or walnuts added in.
Source:
Inspired by Unforked.
This is awesome! I was skeptical at first because I didn’t think I’d like raw kale, but I was pleasantly surprised. I added some toasted pepitas and dried cranberries. Thanks for sharing! I found this on pinterest. :)
Thank you for the awesome recipie.. it was fantastic! I think it would be great as a side dish if you barely blanched it and threw it into an ice bath.. and then added dressing with some grape tomatoes and a touch of red onion.
No. Just try it chopped raw first. You’ll loose the nutrients & crunch by cooking it.
Hi Ali,
I went to a cooking class recently and learned that when you massage the kale with the dressing, it makes it more tender! I tried it and loved the result. Just a tip to add. Thanks for the recipe!
T
I love kale, but have never had it raw. I tried this today with a bunch of kale I’ve had sitting in the fridge. I added freshly chopped garlic and chilli instead of thyme, toasted Japanese bread crumbs and whole toasted almonds. This has just become my new favourite salad. Thanks so much for sharing!
This is my favorite salad currently!!!!! I need to make this immediately.
I can’t get enough of the Hale the Kale salad!
My friend Kenny is the manager and he says its their best seller!
YUM!
Thanks for posting!
Sounds delicious, Ali! I still haven’t tried Unforked. Must do so soon!
LOVE kale! Cooked and in salads!
I’ve never been to this restaurant! This must change.
And I must eat that kale salad, PRONTO.
This sounds so simple and delicious… and such few ingredients! MUST TRY!