Description
A vibrant and nutritious winter kale orange salad featuring curly kale, sweet citrus segments, toasted almonds, tangy goat cheese, and a bright white balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light meal, this salad balances flavors and textures with ease.
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
- 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 white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, sea salt, dijon mustard, and honey until fully combined. Chill until ready to serve.
- Assemble the salad base: Add the thinly sliced kale, half of the toasted almonds, half of the sliced green onions, and the mandarin orange segments into a large salad bowl.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the vinaigrette over the kale mixture and toss thoroughly to evenly coat the salad ingredients with the dressing.
- Add finishing touches: Top the dressed salad with the remaining almonds and green onions, then arrange the blood orange halves over the top. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese evenly over the salad.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a fresh, flavorful side or light main dish.
Notes
- This salad is perfect for winter, showcasing seasonal citrus and nutrient-rich kale.
- Substitute navel oranges if blood oranges are unavailable.
- To toast almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Adjust salt quantity depending on salt type to avoid over-seasoning.
- For a vegan version, omit goat cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese.
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
