Elizabeth's Massaged Kale Salad with Pomagranate Seeds

Years ago, maybe 20 or more, I met a woman in an online Orthodox women's group.  She was very warm, bright and funny and I simply got a major kick out of her. As we got to know each other, we found that our lives were eerily parallel.  We chatted on the phone and we found we were sympatico.  I love that word, "sympatico", and wish that there was an English equivalent.

Anyway, the years have passed, and from time to time we get to meet in person for a few hours, or a day.  This past weekend, I hit the jackpot - we hung out at my house for the entire weekend!  On Saturday, we did a little food shopping, and I bought the world's greatest steak and some gorgeous organic kale. I cooked the steak and some sauteed zucchini with yellow squash, and Elizabeth made this gorgeous salad with the world's most perfect pomagranate that she had brought along.  It was fantastic!  You will love it, too - I guarantee it!

Elizabeth's Massaged Kale Salad with Pomegranate Seeds

Kale Salad:
1 Bunch Fresh Kale
¼ - ½ Sweet Onion, Thinly Slivered
1 – 2 Oranges, Sectioned
1 or ½ Seeded Pomegranate (Depending Upon Size)
Pepitas (Green Pumpkin Seeds) and/or Sunflower Seeds, For Topping

Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing:
1 Orange, Both Zest & Juice
2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 Tbsp. Honey
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper, To Taste

Zest the orange peel from about ½ of the orange. Add the zest, juice and all other dressing ingredients to a jar. Shake well and set aside.

For the Salad: Remove the stems from the kale, preferably by hand. Take remaining kale leaves and tear into small, bite-sized pieces. Then (this is the key to the recipe!), massage the torn up kale leaves. Yes, give it a good work over until the leaves turn a slightly darker color. When well massaged, add thinly sliced sweet onion, orange sections and pomegranate seeds. Shake the dressing again to make sure it is well mixed. Pour over the salad and toss well. Top with pepita (pumpkin) seeds and/or sunflower seeds. Serve. This salad will hold up better than most, even after it is dressed.