Black Kale & Mango Salad with Walnut Crusted Goat Cheese
I don’t know about you guys, but the longer days with warm and sunny weather are making me want to spend more time outside and less time in the kitchen. This time of year is just way to pretty to be inside, am I right?
Well, if you’re feeling like me and you want a really quick and easy meal that not only tastes delicious but allows you to strut your stuff in your cute new sundress or bikini…(er, swimming trunks/speedos for the males out there…) then you will LOVE this salad.
Assuming you love kale and mango…and goat cheese. Just look at these creamy little, walnut covered medallions of deliciousness.
They really take this salad over the top. Although, if you are not a goat cheese fan, it would also be good without it. The honey, lemon and olive oil dressing helps mask the bitterness of the kale and compliments the flavor of the mango perfectly.
And what’s even better is that the kale is so robust, you can make it up to two days ahead of time and it will only get more flavorful as sits there, all pretty in your refrigerator. You can prepare it on a Sunday afternoon for lunch during the week or even on a Friday or Saturday night for a fun weekend picnic.
If you have had trouble cutting mangoes then you should check out this link: How to Cut a Mango. It kind of looks like a porcupine, no? Anyway, it’s a method I use all of time now and it works great! Now my only problem is trying not to eat all of it before I serve it…
Black Kale & Mango Salad with Walnut Crusted Goat Cheese
Inspired by Tigelleria
- 1 bunch lacinato kale; destemmed and chopped
- 1 mango, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup walnuts, finely ground (in a food processor or blender)
- 1 (4 ounce) block goat cheese
Honey, Lemon & Olive Oil Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- pinch of salt & pepper
Makes 2 medium size salads (or 1 large)
1. Wash and dry kale and remove from stem then roughly chop into bite size pieces.
2. Make dressing by combining olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and salt & pepper into a small bowl and mix well by stirring.
3. Add the dressing to the kale and “massage” with your hands for several minutes. This step is optional but it really helps the kale taste less bitter.
4. Next, top the kale with the diced mango and pine nuts and continue to mix until everything is coated in dressing.
5. Take the block of goat cheese and roll it around in the finely ground walnuts until it is completely coated. Slice the block into approximately 1/2 inch sections.
6. Serve kale salad on a plate, top with a few goat cheese medallions, then serve!
This salad will likely be a repeat offender in my kitchen. I just can’t get enough of the light summery flavor and love how healthy I feel after eating it.
Perfect, I tell you.
Have you ever massaged kale before? 
Do you like to make your own salad dressing?
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I love Kale! Never thought of pairing it with mango and goat cheese, but sounds delish! Love the goat cheese rolled in ground walnuts! Can’t wait to try this!! :)
I LOVE making my own dressing! This is a great little salad! It’s really the best way! I would love this salad. And those goat cheese squares….adorable!
This looks soo good! I love making my own salad dressing, I’ve never added honey before, I love that idea. Can’t wait to try it!
Walnut-crusted goat cheese? UM yes! And I agree, this time of year is much too nice to be inside! I like to find quick, easy meals to cook and enjoy on the patio :)
I’m not a fan of kale -at all- but I have to admit that I’ve never tried massaging it, and I’ve heard that’s what makes it taste a lot less bitter and tough. I do love mango though :D And adding all sorts of fruit to my salads. Talk about a perfect summer meal.
Yeah, kale is an acquired taste I guess. You could sub spinach and I’m sure it would be just as good.
This sounds so good! I have only tried kale once it has been cooked. I will have to try this salad, I love mango and goat cheese!
I only recently started ‘massaging’ my kale and I am a big fan! I make big salads for dinner so that I have leftovers for lunch the next day and most times I prefer the kale the next day when it has time to absorb the flavours.
I completely agree with you, it’s nice to let it marinate a little!
I’ve always loved kale… which is weird, because for a very long time everyone else hated it but now it’s hugely popular. Yay for me! I’ve never tried black kale though. Does it taste much different to the regular green? I love the idea of the walnut-crusted goat cheese. I’ve often added both ingredients to my salads but not in such a fashionable manner!! :) Definitely trying this. Though mangoes are now out of season here in Australia (sob! Winter in two weeks!) and I might have to make do with an imported Mexican one. Thanks for the recipe!
I think the black kale has a more distinct flavor, possibly a bit more bitter. The texture is also slightly thicker. I can’t believe it’s almost winter there! If it makes you feel any better, it’s almost summer here but all we have are Mexican mangoes too! :)
I love kale salads. They’re super healthy and so easy to make. This recipe sounds great. I love the idea of adding mango.
The walnut crusted goat cheese combined with the mango – it all sounds SO amazing together! I could live off of goat cheese. :) I love it!
Thanks Sally! I had a similar salad out to eat and loved the combination, it’s so good! :)
I never even realized that there was such a thing as black kale. Thank you for enlightening me! ;)
Black kale is actually another name for lacinato or dinosaur kale. Maybe one of those rings a bell? If not, you should try it, it’s good stuff! :)
I have kale growing in my garden and it’s doing fantastically! It’s so hearty and healthy. I am still exploring what to do with the kale. I’m used to just doing a sautee with something (garlic or onions or bacon). But I really want to try a salad.
I am so jealous that you are growing kale in your garden, that’s awesome! I love it sautéed with a shallot, some garlic and vegetable broth. You can cover it and let it steam for about 10 minutes and then it’s ready, so good!
Another great looking recipe! I think mangoes just went out of season here otherwise I’d be making it for sure. I’ve bookmarked it for when they come back in anyway :)
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I’m recently so fond of kale and I might as well try this one. Thank you so much for sharing this I might as well share this to my family. Can’t wait!