Hi all! Today we have a really fresh and simple Kale Salad with blood oranges. I love to cook; that’s really no secret, but sometimes I come home exhausted from work and I don’t want to cook, nor do I feel like going out. The results? I usually end up noshing on cheese and crackers or break romaine leaves apart and dip them in dressing. Sad, I know.
Even more depressing, lately I’ve been trying to be “healthy” and well, it sucks. The other day I broke out my new (as of Christmas) Vitamix and tried my hand at home juicing. The juice was actually pretty awesome and I didn’t mind the slightly pulpy texture due to no pulp extractor like in an actual juicer. I took more time to prep and clean then I had hoped which sucked, especially since it was a super busy day for me.
I’ve been eating a lot of wheatberry, kale and quinoa just trying to mix things up all the time and keep me from getting bored. This salad is actually one that’s been on my regular rotation of “healthy meals” and it’s one of my faves! It’s super easy to put together (I’ll usually make this salad and vinaigrette in the morning before work, in two separate containers, so when I come home it’s just pour, cover and shake. It’s so filling and flavorful that I actually don’t crave hot dogs and doughnuts 20 minutes after I’m finishing eating, like most salad make me feel. This salad is seriously awesome anytime. Go try it! Enjoy! xx, Jenny
Simple Blood Orange and Kale Salad with a White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Serves 3 to 4
Ingredients:
white balsamic vinaigrette:
½ shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 ½ teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1/3-½ cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
½ head kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
3 blood oranges, cut into supremes
1/3 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Place shallot, garlic, honey, mustard, and vinegar into a small bowl and whisk together.
2. Pour oil into the mixture, while whisking, in a steady stream until fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place kale and blood orange supreme into a mixing bowl and toss together with the vinaigrette.
4. Top with almonds and goat cheese and adjust seasonings.
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I’ve been loving on the Kale, too, and this looks great with the addition of the goat cheese and citrus. Of course, what doesn’t taste good with the addition of citrus and goat cheese?
Since you mentioned cleaning your Vitamix, did you know you can just fill it halfway with water, add dishsoap and blend for 20 seconds or so? Then, dump and rinse and it’s done. That’s what they recommend. I’ve had mine for 3 weeks and I’ve been cleaning it like that. Super easy and quick! And I’m not sure what you mean by prep…. I just dump stuff in there – peel fruit and then throw it in. Add some milk or water. Done. I guess it depends on what you’re putting in.
Looking forward to trying this recipe. I’ve been trying to use kale more often. (I *love* kale chips.)
This looks so fresh and delicious. I love kale!
I’ve only had cooked kale
Isn’t it bitter and tough when raw?
It is a bit bitter, but the other items in the dish really balance it out. Also, kale is indeed a tough green, but if you massage it the leaves it softens them or you can do a quick sauté before adding the remaining ingredients.
Try the raw kale, you might like it!
Love this! So healthy and filling…. and pretty!
I’m dying over the vinaigrette! Sounds incredible!
must try one day. never made anything with kale before.
Green and healthy and vibrant and with blood oranges. No one better say they “don’t like kale” if you serve it like this!
love the line about craving hot dogs. for me it’s tortilla chips
the something-savory-craving after a healthy meal!
I totally know how you feel when you’re just dog tired and don’t have the energy to cook a meal. When you’re eating healthy, it gets harder because you feel guilty about “snacking” for dinner. I think your salad is an excellent solution. It’s light, doesn’t appear to take long to make, and it absolutely gorgeous (I don’t think I’ve ever said that about a salad). Congrats on the VitaMix. I really want one of those!
I hear kale is the new black. Awesome looking recipe, you know K & I will be making this one.
I eat a salad every day for lunch and usually throw a few kale leaves into it for the extra vitamins… I’m going to try this dressing next time!
Thus is gorgeous and so healthy! Can’t wait to try! Just stumbled across your blog via Pinterest! I’m now a follower! Love the name too!!
I am in loooove!
I am so guilty of snacking for dinner on busy nights, and I agree- sometimes eating healthy totally sucks! But then when you come across a healthy meal like this it’s all worth it. I just bought a huge bag of kale and promised myself that I would make something besides soup with it. This recipe is just what I needed for inspiration.
I love citrus in salads, and the blood oranges look so luscious.
Making this for Shane tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes.
This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for new ways to eat kale.
http://theautumnissue.com
I’ve been cooking a lot with kale recently, and using blood oranges in my desserts, but never thought to combine the two. What a gorgeous idea for a simple, healthy supper.
Seriously cannot get enough kale salads in my life. This one looks perfect.
This looks amazeballs. Trying this tonight. I should be able to find kale, but I’m assuming arugula or spinach would be an okay substitute?
Totally! You might need to adjust the amount of vinaigrette you use, but that’s about it!
The dressing sounds divine and would be perfect for the kale salad. So fresh and delicious!
I love kale! I also need some winter-style entree salads in the rotation. I can’t wait to try this.
So fresh! This looks amazing…a bit of bright freshness in the dull winter!
I made this and added roasted golden beets. I also used a whole head of kale and ate the whole thing. Best salad I’ve had in a long time!
I’m crazy for Kale salads right now! So dense and nutritious. This is too beautiful…I have make it. I love your creativity
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