Description
Rustic crispy kale, plum, and ricotta salad celebrates Mediterranean flavors with fresh ingredients. Green leaves and sweet plums combine deliciously, inviting palates to savor this simple yet elegant dish perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large or 16 small curly kale leaves
- 4 medium plums, halved, pitted, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup (180 ml) fresh ricotta
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tsps chopped fresh thyme
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk olive oil, vinegar, thyme, and honey in a medium bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. Gently coat plums in the dressing and reserve.
- Kale Preparation: Brush kale leaves with olive oil and salt, preparing for high-heat cooking. For grilling, create a medium-hot fire or set gas grill to high; for oven roasting, preheat to 400°F.
- Kale Crisping: Grill or roast kale until edges become crispy and slightly charred, approximately 2 minutes. If using oven, arrange leaves in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Leaf Processing: After cooling, remove tough center stems using a sharp knife. Tear larger leaves into bite-sized pieces, maintaining smaller leaves’ structure.
- Plate Composition: Spread ricotta evenly across serving plates, seasoning with salt and pepper. Toss kale leaves in vinaigrette, ensuring thorough coating.
- Final Assembly: Layer dressed kale over ricotta, strategically positioning marinated plums. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette to complete the salad, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
Notes
- Kale Preparation Tip: Remove tough stems completely for a tender, enjoyable texture that melts in your mouth.
- Grilling Technique: Watch kale closely while cooking to prevent burning; edges should be crispy and lightly charred, not blackened.
- Ricotta Seasoning Hack: Salt and pepper the ricotta base subtly to enhance the overall flavor balance without overpowering other ingredients.
- Vinaigrette Timing: Whisk dressing just before serving to maintain optimal consistency and prevent ingredient separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg