Recipes/ Salad

Thai Peanut (Massaged) Kale Salad

This is an easy massaged kale salad that is easy to make with basic ingredients. The leftovers are even better so I recommend doubling the recipe!

I have been craving bold flavors lately. No idea why, but ginger and cayenne keep finding their way into my food. Last night, it was blackened salmon. And over the weekend, it was in the form of a massaged kale salad. And just writing about both of those is making me crave wasabi and pickled ginger. Sushi tonight perhaps?

kale salad-1

Thai Peanut Massaged Kale Salad

  • 3 stalks kale, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (rinse well)
  • 1 T natural peanut butter (I used creamy but crunchy would probably be good too)
  • 1/2 t olive oil
  • 1/2 t toasted sesame oil
  • 1.5 t soy sauce (I used the low sodium variety)
  • 1/4 – 1/2 t grated fresh ginger
  • enough water to make it a little runny (about a tablespoon)
  • a few sprinkles of cayenne
  • sea salt, to taste
  • small squeeze of lemon
  1. Rinse the kale well. Give it a quick spin in your salad spinner if you have one or just give it a little pat to dry a bit.
  2. Combine the remaining ingredients to make a dressing and pour over the kale. Using your hands, massage the kale to soften it up a bit and distribute the dressing. I did this in three rounds – pour and massage, pour a little more and massage, and then one more time. Do not ask why. Only do.
  3. Squeeze just a skosh* of fresh lemon on top to brighten the flavors and toss.
  4. Sprinkle the top with a little extra cayenne if you’re feeling fiery and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I didn’t measure the ingredients when I made this. I just added until it tasted right to me, but this is approximately what the ratios were. So taste as you go and adjust to your taste preferences.

*Do you know what skosh means? I’d never heard it before moving to the South, but now I find myself using it quite a bit.

Which do you like better? Kale or spinach?

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31 Comments

  • Reply
    chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    at

    That looks good!! I think “scoch” means like “a little bit”? Am I wrong?

  • Reply
    Lauren
    at

    I’ve never heard skosh ever! I always say just a pinch or a sprinkle.

  • Reply
    Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food
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    mmm that looks just like the lovely marinated kale from the whole foods hot bar 🙂

    delish! 🙂

  • Reply
    Miss Bibliophile
    at

    That sounds delicious. I’ve been really into Thai lately too, so I’m definitely going to try this.

  • Reply
    J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog)
    at

    That sounds so good! Love massaged kale. Yum!

  • Reply
    Alaina Rose @ Sweetness Of Life
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    That looks really good! I love kale. It’s my favorite 🙂

  • Reply
    Christine @ Burning It Off
    at

    I always order something with peanut sauce when I’m at a Thai restaurant… it’s soooo good. I think a bit of lime would taste nice with this too!

  • Reply
    Lee
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    I’ve never heard of skosh and I’ve lived in Georgia for 9 years!

  • Reply
    Elizabeth @ RunWithSneakers
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    I love spinach AND kale. And I love them together! Gonna try your Thai sauce very soon.

  • Reply
    Salah (My Healthiest Lifestyle)
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    bookmarked this one! That recipe looks soooo awesome!!!

  • Reply
    Liz
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    Kale is where it’s at!

  • Reply
    Kelly
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    Huh…I live in the South and I have never heard of the word skosh before.

  • Reply
    Sarah @ The Pajama Chef
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    oooh i love the flavors 🙂

  • Reply
    Katie
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    Asian flavors sound really good to me right now…and it’s breakfast time. Hmm. Thanks for the yummy looking recipe!

    And I definitely eat more spinach (it’s easy), but I don’t think I have a preference between the two. I love the texture of kale.

  • Reply
    linda
    at

    I love kale salads. Is this a serving for one?

  • Reply
    Ashley
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    I am loving the kale salads lately!! This looks great. I do know what “skosh” means but am not sure where I heard it first…I don’t think I ever really say it..hehe

  • Reply
    Emilia
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    Mmmm, asian kale salad looks right up my alley. Good call with this one, and love that it’s raw and no cook!

  • Reply
    [email protected] Dishes Daily
    at

    I am team spinach.

  • Reply
    Alex
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    Love this recipe, thank you.

  • Reply
    [email protected]
    at

    dohh! that’s a hard one haha i love BOTH spinach and kale depending on how they’re prepared and in what dish they’re in! 😉

  • Reply
    Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife
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    spinach baby! Looks yummy though, thanks 🙂

  • Reply
    LauraJayne
    at

    I’d never heard of skosh before today – but I do use “skotch” (sp) but not nearly enough! I think I need to bring it back!

  • Reply
    Miss Type A
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    I am a spinach girl all the way. Baby spinach salad= mmm!

  • Reply
    Amanda @ Still Life with Duck
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    Yummy! Kale always looks so beautiful and healthy, but I’m never sure what to do with it. I’ll definitely have to give this a try.

  • Reply
    Chase @ The Chase Project
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    Nope, no idea what skosh means! But ever since I discovered peanut flour and sesame oil, everything is Thai in my kitchen! 😛

  • Reply
    Kned
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    Thanks for posting this! I found a massaged kale salad with Mango and pumpkin seeds recipe a few months ago and went nuts over it. This one sounds fab too! Right now Kale is inching spinach out for me.

  • Reply
    natalie (the sweets life)
    at

    oooh I love the sound of this! I always make kale chips and need to change it up!

  • Reply
    Clare @ Fitting It All In
    at

    Spinach will always be my favorite, but there is definitely a place for kale salad and kale chips. I had a MASSIVE kale salad today!

  • Reply
    Jessica
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    That’s awesome, I love the word skosh 🙂 Just always makes me laugh. Same with “nosh”.
    On another note, I also love kale and am super excited to make this. Thanks!

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