Make-Ahead Holiday Salad

With just a little know-how the result of a kale salad can be tender, not aggressively, well, leaf-like. Plus, it's the perfect green to help you get ahead of the game with a make-ahead dish. Both kale and Brussels sprouts stand up to the test of time and hold dressing well for much longer than the standard salad can, making this make-ahead salad, the smartest item on your holiday menu. Massaging the kale leaves well with the dressing allows the leaves to soften and tenderize—the key is to not be shy and just get your hands in there. The bowl is full of gorgeous colors: There are red kale leaves, green Brussels sprouts, golden croutons, and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. All together this salad is a gorgeous feast for the eyes, inviting eaters to dig in. It’s all tossed with a sweet-tart Dijon mustard vinaigrette, whose sharp flavor plays off the buttery herb croutons. P.S. You can use green kale leaves if you can’t find red.