Eat Well Recipe: Massaged Kale & Cranberry Salad [Lunch]
Massaged Kale & Cranberry Salad
This refreshing salad turns tough kale into a tender, digestible base. Massaging the leaves breaks down the cellulose fibres, making the nutrients more bioavailable and the texture much more pleasant.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch curly or Lacinato kale, stems removed and shredded
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (look for "no sugar added")
- 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Optional: A sprinkle of feta or goat cheese
Instructions
- Massage: Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Use your hands to firmly massage the leaves for 3–5 minutes until they turn dark green and soft.
- Whisk: In a small jar, combine lemon juice and mustard to create a quick dressing.
- Toss: Add the cranberries and pumpkin seeds to the kale.
- Finish: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavours meld.
Tips for Success & Diabetes Management
The key to keeping this salad diabetes-friendly is managing the natural sugars found in dried fruit.
- Mind the Fruit: Dried cranberries are often sweetened with cane sugar. Opt for unsweetened varieties or swap them for fresh pomegranate seeds to lower the glycemic load.
- Healthy Fats: The fat from the olive oil and pumpkin seeds is essential—it helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (A, K, and E) found in kale while slowing down glucose absorption.
- Acid is Key: Using lemon juice or vinegar helps dampen the post-meal blood sugar response.
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