We’re all trying to eat a little healthier in January, but you know what, it’s hard! It’s freezing in East Hampton and after a long day, all I want is a big glass of red wine and a bowl of pasta. Or maybe some kind of braised meat. Or maybe pasta with a braised meat sauce? See what I mean?
But vegetables don’t have to be a punishment. This Kale and Apple Slaw is one of my favorite winter salads because while it’s full of produce and relatively healthy (Parmesan is healthy, right?? ), it’s also totally satisfying. The slaw has lots of different textures and flavors that make it much more interesting and delicious than your average bowl of kale. With the crunchy, sweet apple, sharp onion, toasted pecans and salty Parmesan, each bite is like a little meal in itself.
If you’re looking for diet food, you might want to keep looking. But if you’re looking for a tasty salad that won’t leave you feeling hungry and a little sadder than you were before you ate it, you’ve come to the right place.
This slaw is great either on its own for lunch or as a side to hearty winter main courses. I especially love it with roast chicken or turkey chili. The recipe makes a LOT of salad, but leftovers keep well if you aren’t feeding a crowd. (The pecans and apples will get a little bit soggy if the salad sits overnight, but not enough to keep me from eating this salad straight from the tupperware for lunch the next day.)
Kale and Apple Slaw
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans
- ¾ cup very thinly sliced red onion (about ¼ onion)
- 1 bunch curly kale (about 12 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 large lemon)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 crisp sweet apple, such as Fuji, cut into matchsticks
- 1 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (2 ounces), see note
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pecans on a sheet pan and roast for 10 minutes. Cool, then roughly chop the pecans and set aside.
- Meanwhile, place the onions in a strainer and rinse under warm water for thirty seconds to remove some of their “bite.” Drain and set aside.
- Wash the kale leaves and pat them dry with a paper towel. Lay the leaves flat on a cutting board and cut down both sides of the center ribs. Discard the ribs, and using a sharp knife, cut the leaves crosswise into thin strips, as you would for coleslaw. Place the chopped kale in a large bowl and add the drained red onions.
- In a small, glass measuring cup, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Pour the dressing over the kale and onions, and toss well. Set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Add the pecans, onions, and apple to the kale and toss well. Add the Parmesan, toss gently, and serve.Note: Use a vegetable peeler to make big shavings of Parmesan.Copyright 2018, Lidey Heuck, All Rights Reserved (updated 2023).
My family went nuts for this salad! Even my Dad 🙂
This is the most delicious salad in my repertoire! Every time I make it the family can’t get enough!!
I made this last night. Fresh and bright – we loved it!
So glad you liked it!! I think I’ve made this salad so many times I have it memorized!
Yummm! How many servings does this make as a side salad? 3 or 4? I want to pair with tomato basil soup!
Hi Alexi! I see the serving size is missing! I will fix that! This salad would serve 4-5 as a side salad. Hope you love it!
Thank you, Lidey! 🙂
This was excellent! Served it with a flatbread pizza and a bottle of Rose for dinner tonight. Nice combination of flavors, dressing was flavorful but light tasting.
Thanks for the tip on how to shave the Parmesan. I might like pear as a change of fruit!
Looks delicious. And I would say this is Weight Watchers friendly, even if you added chicken.