Description
A vibrant and nutritious Kale Orange Salad combining fresh kale, juicy citrus fruits, crunchy almonds, and creamy goat cheese, dressed with a tangy white balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light meal, especially during winter and holiday seasons.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 bunch curly kale (about 9 oz, thick ribs removed, remaining thinly sliced, about 6 cups)
- 2/3 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
- 3 oz goat cheese (crumbled)
- 1 blood orange (peeled and sliced into rounds then halved; navel orange can be substituted)
- 2 mandarin oranges (peeled and segmented)
Vinaigrette Dressing
- 3 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (do scant if using table salt)
- 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, sea salt, dijon mustard, and honey until well combined. Chill the vinaigrette until ready to serve.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the sliced kale, half of the toasted almonds, half of the sliced green onions, and the mandarin orange segments to a large salad bowl.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the chilled vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat the kale and fruit evenly with the dressing.
- Add Toppings: Top the tossed salad with the remaining toasted almonds, remaining sliced green onions, blood orange halves, and crumbled goat cheese.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures.
Notes
- This salad is perfect for the winter season and holiday gatherings, bringing bright citrus flavors and hearty kale together.
- Use blood orange or substitute with navel orange if blood oranges are unavailable.
- Toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant for enhanced flavor.
- Adjust sea salt quantity if using regular table salt to avoid oversalting.
- For a vegan version, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative or omit it entirely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 414 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
