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1
Preheat your oven to 350 u00b0 Fahrenheit. Arrange your racks in the middle and bottom third of your oven.
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2
Make sure your lacinato kale leaves are as dry as you can get them. This will ensure crispy roasted kale rather than soggy roasted kale. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with a single layer of lacinato kale. I fit about 12 whole leaves. Repeat with another pan and remaining kale. I've found that roasting whole leaves rather than cut pieces reduces the chance of uneven roasting or burning. On each sheet, toss leaves with 1 T olive oil and 1/2 t Spanish paprika until evenly coated. Resist the urge to add a pinch of salt (you won't need it with the dressing). Roast for 7 minutes, setting a timer.
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3
Make your dressing by combining pitted olives, olive oil and sherry vinegar in a mini-prep or similar appliance (food processor and blender should also work). Pulse until well combined. Taste dressing and if too salty, add up to 1 T blood orange juice (start with 1 t). Pulse again
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4
By this time your roasted kale timer should be buzzing. Swap pan positions, front to back and top to bottom. Set your timer for 6 minutes.
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5
Place chopped baby kale in a large bowl for mixing. Using a small spatula or spoon, add 1/2 of dressing by folding and pressing the dressing into the kale until evenly coated. Knowing that the dressing will begin to wilt the raw leaves a little as it sits, taste dressed kale and use your best judgment to determine if you need more dressing. Add as needed
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6
Prep oranges by trimming off very top and bottom of each with a sharp paring knife. Set the fruit on end and very carefully cut the skin from its flesh, following the curve from top to bottom with your knife. Slice fruit crosswise into wheels (or half moons), and push out any seeds. Add to dressed baby kale.
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7
Remove roasted kale from oven. Leaves should be crisp and a golden dark green. Allow to cool and using shears, stack multiple leaves and thickly cut crosswise into bowl. My stems were tender so I included all but the very end (about 1 inch). If your stems are too thick and tough, slice kale lengthwise on either side of stem before stacking and cutting with shears.
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8
Toss salad gently but thoroughly with tongs, making sure to pull up the dressed kale from the bottom of the bowl. Add more dressing to taste if desired. Plate on a platter and top with toasted sliced almonds. Enjoy immediately.
