White Bean and Kale Salad (Printable Version)

Creamy white beans and crisp kale with tangy lemon-garlic dressing.

# Components:

→ Salad Components

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→ Lemon-Garlic Dressing

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# Preparation steps:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified and smooth.
02 - Place chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with half the dressing and massage with hands for 1-2 minutes until leaves darken and become tender.
03 - Add white beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and toasted seeds to the kale. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
04 - Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated with dressing. Top with crumbled feta cheese if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

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  • The creamy beans and tender kale create a texture that feels substantial but leaves you light
  • You can keep the ingredients in your pantry for those days when meal planning did not happen
  • The dressing doubles as a quick marinade for roasted vegetables or grilled chicken
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  • Massaging the kale is not optional as it transforms tough bitter leaves into silky mild greens
  • The salad tastes better after sitting for 15 minutes so make it ahead if you can
  • Rinse the beans thoroughly to remove the starchy canning liquid that clouds the dressing
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  • A pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing adds a subtle warmth that surprises people
  • Fresh herbs like basil or parsley folded in at the end make the salad feel extra special
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