Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! While I still have not finalized our menu yet, I am thinking about adding this Creamy Lemon Tahini Kale Salad with Spicy Chick Pea Croutons to the mix. I like to offer some lighter sides to pair with the heavier traditional Thanksgiving potatoes and stuffing. Adding the pomegranate seeds gives this hearty salad a nice festive look that will brighten up your holiday table.
Creamy Lemon Tahini Kale Salad with Spicy Chick Pea Croutons
I am the first to admit that plain old kale is not so tasty. However, when you season and flavor it, the taste and texture morphs into a delicious and healthy side salad. One of the keys to a great kale salad is to “massage” the kale with a little olive oil and salt. Yep, get your hands right in there and give it a little rub and mix before adding in the other ingredients. This technique also allows the kale to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients you combine with it.
The other stars of this recipe are the Spicy Chick Pea Croutons. Besides being a great source of plant based protein and iron, Spicy Chick Peas are a delicious crunchy way to top your salad. While you can roast them in the oven, I prefer to pan fry them in a little olive oil. I used a smoked paprika powder on them to bring a subtle spice that pairs well with the lemon tahini dressing.
While most salads tend to get a little soggy if you dress them in advance, this Creamy Lemon Tahini Kale Salad gets better after marrying the dressing with it. This allows the kale to soften up and absorb the flavors taking away the bitterness.
This hearty and healthy Creamy Lemon Tahini Kale Salad with Spicy Chick Pea Croutons would be a fabulous side for your holiday dinner. Have family staying for the holidays? Offer this salad as a lighter lunch and watch your family reach for seconds.
Creamy Lemon Tahini Kale Salad with Spicy Chick Pea Croutons
Creamy vegan lemon tahini kale salad with spicy chick pea croutons
Ingredients
- large bunch of kale (remove stems) chopped
- 2/3 Cup pomegranate seeds
- dressing:
- 2 garlic cloves
- juice of 2 whole lemons
- 1/3 C Tahini paste
- 1/4 C warm water
- 1/3 C Olive oil
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbl apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
- For chick peas:
- 1 15 oz can of chick peas (rinsed and dried on a paper towel)
- drizzle of Olive oil
- 1-2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Chop kale and transfer to a large mixing bowl
- drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt
- with you hands, massage kale so that it softens, set aside
- In a small bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients
- Drizzle onto kale and mix to combine
- sprinkle on pomegranate seeds set aside
- Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat to medium high
- Add chick peas to pan with more olive oil
- sprinkle on smoked paprika and salt
- pan fry until crispy, stirring often
- Layer chick pea croutons on top of salad and serve
Tell me what are your favorite Holiday veggie sides? Kale Yeah or Kale No?
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Tahini?, kale?, chickpeas?! #GETINMYBELLY
They are a great combo aren’t they?!
Oh kale no! But I could see substituting spinach in for the kale. The tahini dressing sounds fabulous!
spinach or any lettuce chopped would work. I love the dressing and have been using a ton on veggie power bowls as well
What a fun salad! I love the chick pea crouton idea with this!
thanks they have become a staple around here
I love the idea of using chickpeas instead of regular croutons!
You will love them!
Chickpea croutons…brilliant! This looks like a great holiday salad. I do love kale in my salads, but it definitely needs some care (massage) before preparing.
I thought you would like this one!
This looks so yummy! I love pomegranate and this dressing… mmmm!!!
Thanks-I think they are a fun addition for color and texture
How clever to use roasted chickpeas as croutons! That’s a great idea. Gotta steal it. 🙂
Great I hope you do!
We’re on the same tahini wave length today! I can’t get enough of it right now. I need to try this – for some reason I haven’t been doing kale lately.
I am into using tahini on everything lately it’s really good isn’t it?!
I have never thought of using chickpeas for croutons before. This sounds delicious!
thanks so much hope you give it a try
This sounds so perfect and refreshing and the colors just pop!
Thanks so much so glad you like it
This looks good…though, I am not familiar with tahini. The crunchy chick peas sound awesome!
Tahini is a paste often used in hummus and other middle eastern type of foods. You can find it at your regular grocery store. I am kind of obsessed w the chick pea croutons at the moment
Sometimes I am in the mood for kale and sometimes not. Mostly, I am okay if it is mixed in with lettuce! My hubby makes kale chips in the oven and that is sooooo good. I mean, anything with salt and oil on it is good, right!?
Well yes there’s always that! You can mix the kale with other lettuce as well.
I love the idea of using chickpeas for croutons! And the pomegranates look lovely
thanks so much I am really into the croutons right now myself
I am obsessed with tahini so this salad is a must!
Thanks hope you enjoy!
This looks amazing! Love all the flavors and the addition of tahini dressing and the chickpea croutons!!
Thanks so much! Have a great week
What a great, gluten free alternative! I need to try this.
thanks hope you enjoy it!
That looks delicious! I love the spicy chick pea croutons!
I am kind of obsessed with them at the moment
I struggle with kale – maybe subbing spinach would work?
I think it would work really well with spinach or a romaine lettuce as well.
this is such a hearty looking salad…and i love all that toppings.
Thanks so much it’s one of my favorites
I’m down with lemon tahini anything, so this salad looks delish!
My faves too thanks!
Ooo yaass!! This is right up my alley! Love my salads 🙂
Thanks! Me too so many ways to mix them up
This looks so so good. Can’t wait to try!
thanks so much!
Basically, if there are chick peas, I am in 🙂
They are good!
I love chick peas but not sure about the tahini though, lol!
Try it you might like it!
This salad look absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to make it next week! I love the idea of pan frying chick peas … Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
The chick peas are the best part! Hope you enjoy it
I like kale but I usually bake it in the oven and do not like it raw. But if it had a dressing on it, that may soften it up a bit and be more edible.
It definitely softens and picks up the flavors when you prepare it this way. You might be surprised!
This looks so yummy, and it’s so pretty too! Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much
I’m all about having a simple salad as a side at a holiday meal. Its always nice to have something light and refreshing in the midst of all of the traditionally heavy holiday foods.
Yes I agree!
Yum! I love the idea of using the chickpeas as croutons.
I am kind of obsessed by them!
It’s definitely the season for kale topped with pomegranates, it looks very festive and Christmas-y. We got a tray of pomegranates from Costco and went right through it, putting them on almost every salad lately. I can definitely second the idea of paprika (or smoked paprika) on chickpeas, it’s a good combo!
Great hope you give it a try soon!
Looks amazing! Three of my favorite things-kale, pomegranates and chickpeas!
they are a great combo!
I can’t wait to try pan frying the chickpeas. Geeky I know but baking never gets them crispy.
I agree! I find pan frying is more effective if you like the crunch