Monday, January 30, 2012

Hearty kale salad


In the winter,  I don't crave salads like I do throughout the spring and summer. Colder temperatures make me yearn bowls of piping hot soup, roasted veggies over wholesome grains, or these stuffed sweet potatoes. When I do have a salad this time of year, it needs to be hearty, packed with healthy fats and protein. 

This salad was rather impromptu. I had a big bunch of curly kale, leftover lentils, and a small jar of roasted cherry tomatoes. It couldn't have been more perfect. The lentils and feta gave it substance, the tomatoes added a burst of flavor, and the celery provided that nice crunch. Not-to-mention the heartiness of the kale as compared to your normal salad full of cool romaine or spinach.
Hearty kale salad
2 tbsp walnut oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp sea salt
4 cups kale, small bite-size pieces
1 celery stalk, diced small
1 c cooked lentils
1/4 cup roasted cherry tomatoes (or sundried tomatoes)
1 tbsp dill, minced
1/4 c feta, optional

Whisk walnut oil, lemon juice, salt and cayenne in a small bowl. Put kale in a large bowl and drizzle vinaigrette over top. Massage with hands for about 5 minutes or until the leaves have broken down some. Mix in celery, lentils, roasted tomatoes, and dill. Sprinkle feta over top. Makes 2 large salads. 

7 comments:

Mary Jolley said...

I love kale salads. Seems like it would pack up well for a lunch...

Stephanie said...

I'm now loving kale salads in the winter too. This version looks great.

Shannon said...

What an awesome looking salad! I need to get my hands on some kale so I can try it. It's so hard to find kale here in Germany. :(

Have a great week! :)

Sarah B said...

YUM! that looks like my kind of salad!

Unknown said...

Mary - you're right, it would pack up well for lunch.

Thanks Stephanie & Sarah!

Shannon, good luck finding kale :)

kale said...

These photos of the kale salad are beautiful. The colors are crazy sharp!

Mike said...

I've never had a tomato roasted before. That sounds yummy.