Watermelon Kale Salad

Watermelon Kale Salad
5 from 1 ratings
A summer salad from chef Brian Massie, corporate executive chef for The Light Group, features a cucumber vinaigrette and quick pickled red onions. Click Here For More Kale Recipes
Servings
4
servings
Ingredients
  • 2 bunches kale
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 large red onion
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon chile flakes
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 1 cup peeled and diced cucumber
  • ½ cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped shallot
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 cup salad oil
  • ¼ cup kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon citric acid
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1½ cup diced watermelon
  • ¼ cup sliced cucumber
  • 2 sliced radishes
  • salt
  • ¼ cup crumbled queso añejo
Directions
  1. Wash and remove the kale stems, and then tear the leaves into 3-inch pieces. Place the kale in a stand mixer with the olive oil and turn the mixer on a medium speed setting. Agitate the kale in the mixer until it is glossy and torn into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Peel the onion and shave it into thin rings using a mandolin (the Japanese style are the easiest to use) about 1/16-inch thick. Bring the vinegar and water to a simmer and add the salt, cumin, chile flakes, and thyme. Pour the vinegar mixture over the sliced onions and set in the fridge for a couple hours, up to overnight.
  3. In a blender combine the cucumber, vinegar, mustard, salt, shallots, and garlic, and blend until smooth. Once smooth, slowly drizzle the oil into the blender cup until completely emulsified.
  4. In a dry blender combine the salt, chili powder, citric acid, and cayenne until slightly powdery.
  5. In a large mixing bowl toss the kale, watermelon, cucumber, and radish with 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette, season the salad with salt as you toss. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with ¼ cup of the pickled red onion and the crumbled cheese, and finish the salad with a couple dashes of the sour salt.