Saturday, January 14, 2012

Kale and Blood Orange Salad




I can't stop eating kale lately. Raw kale. We're buying four huge bunches each week, and eating every last bit. If you see me in Whole Foods, I'm the girl with a cart full of kale. Really. Anyway, these salads are responsible for the insane amount of kale we're eating. I've always been a kale lover, but until a few months ago, I needed be sly when feeding it to Toby and Andreas. Neither of them were very enthusiastic about it (unless it was blended up or juiced), until I started chopping it into bite sized pieces and dressing it like a salad. Even little LucĂ­a is shoveling it in now. She begs for it. I don't know about you, but when my 19 month old baby girl begs for pieces of raw kale, I'm one happy Mother. Aside from the kale itself, we've put chopped celery, carrots and cucumber in, then we tried diced green apples, and now that we're in the peak of citrus season, chopped blood oranges. Blood oranges...they're tart, sweet and absolutely delicious. More so than any other citrus, in my opinion. We love them, especially in this kale salad.

I've used two different dressings - one being my basic lemon vinaigrette and the other is a balsamic vinaigrette, which you can make really easily by substituting the lemon juice for balsamic vinegar (or even fig balsamic vinegar) in that recipe. Both dressings really compliment the kale and oranges.

Oh, and if you aren't a citrus fan, then just add any fruit or veggies you like. Make sure to chop the kale into bite-sized pieces, so that you can chew them easily.

1 bunch kale (green or tuscan, preferably)
3 blood oranges
lemon (click for recipe) or balsamic vinaigrette

Begin by rinsing the kale and chopping it into bite-sized pieces. Slice the blood oranges about 1/2 inch thick, then cut the rind and pith away from each slice. Cut each slice into quarters, then toss with the kale and vinaigrette. Serves 3-4.


8 comments:

Isobelle said...

Oh, I love kale equally as much! I probably buy about two bunches a week - and it is just me that eats it all!

I like the idea of pairing the blood oranges with kale. The only citrus I have tried with it is lemon (which is usually what I dress my kale with), and I like pomegranates with it too when they're around.
But I definitely want to try it with the oranges - looks lovely!

Anonymous said...

This salad sounds lovely! Yum!

jacqui said...

I've been enjoying bundles of kale lately too! It's one of my favorites and I never seem to tire of it!

Kathleen said...

crossing my fingers violet will like this too! Thanks for positing the recipe :)

Luisa Brimble said...

amazing blog! i found you via pinterest! i can't wait to try sweet potato hummus!!!!

my darling lemon thyme said...

I'm one happy mama too when my kids fight over the remaining few mouthfuls of raw kale salad in the bowl. The best feeling ever :-) Have you tried making your kids kale chips? Mine love them equally as much as raw and they are super easy to make.

Crystal Mendez said...

This salad looks yummy and I think Im gonna go buy some tomorrow

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog and loving it!! I bought some blood oranges yesterday and will have to through it into my kale salad. Great suggestion!!! ~jaime