To make the dressing, combine the cranberry sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and salt in a blender, and blend until smooth. Taste, and add a tablespoon of water (or more) to thin, and extra salt if necessary. Set this aside.
Spread the pecans in a skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Toss the pecans for about 40 seconds or until fragrant. Remove them from the pan and chop the pecans roughly.
Place the chopped, stemmed kale into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Use your hands to run the oil and salt into the kale. Squeeze and massage the kale for one to two minutes.
Add the diced apple. cranberries, and chopped pecans to the kale. Toss lightly. Add the crumbled cheddar cheese.
Pour the dressing as desired over the salad, and toss well to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use less salad dressing if desired. Keep leftover dressing in a jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.Use pre-chopped kale or chop and stem the kale up to two days in advance. Do not add the dressing until just before serving.