Anti-Inflammatory Strawberry & Kale Salad with Burrata

Whether you’re looking for a side dish or a main, this Anti-Inflammatory Strawberry & Kale Salad with Burrata has got you covered. Gorgeous ruby-red strawberries stand out against the deep green, antioxidant-rich kale. But that’s not the only place you’ll find the berries. We also infuse them into the white balsamic vinaigrette, adding a subtle hint of strawberry undertones. Thinly sliced red onion lends its slightly spicy sweetness, while creamy burrata cheese takes this salad to a whole new level. Toasted walnuts add a finishing, crunchy flair and an extra anti-inflammatory boost. Keep reading for our expert tips, including why we recommend massaging kale.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• We recommend massaging the kale, which will help soften the leaves and reduce the bitterness.
• Adding strawberries to the dressing enhances the flavor and sweetens it without adding sugar.
• If you can’t find burrata at the grocery store, mozzarella pearls would be just as delicious. Plus, you can substitute the toasted walnuts with pecans or other favorite nuts, such as pistachios, pine nuts or almonds.

Nutrition Notes

• Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, which helps strengthen your immune system. They’re also considered a prebiotic because they’re packed with fiber, which will make your beneficial gut bacteria very happy while they’re noshing on it. 
• Kale is a cruciferous veggie, closely related to cabbage. It tends to be a bit tough, but massaging kale helps break down some of its fibers, making it easier for the body to digest and absorb its nutrients. Some of these nutrients include antioxidants known to fight cancer and heart disease.
• Burrata is a type of mozzarella cheese, but with a creamy center. Because of the cream, burrata is higher in fat than mozzarella but lower in sodium, making both mozzarella and burrata lower-sodium cheeses. Burrata also adds a nice boost of protein and calcium to this salad.  
• Walnuts’ brain-like shape symbolizes their benefits. They offer brain- and heart-healthy fats. Eating more walnuts may help reduce cognitive decline and dementia and improve mental health.