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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Island Kale Salad


Kale is a staple at our house.  I just love how healthy it is and my daughter loves to eat it!  We make our parmesan kale chips every few weeks because they are such a great snack.  I had been trying to find another way to enjoy fresh kale and I created the most delicious salad!  If you are lucky enough to live near a Veggie Grill restaurant, it is inspired by their All Hail Kale salad.  (side note: if you can, go eat there!  The food is fantastic!!)


The salad consists of fresh kale tossed with quinoa and a ginger papaya dressing.  Then it is topped with a fresh corn salsa and crunchy walnuts.  What's not to love?  It is crisp, clean, and delicious!  Corn season is coming to a close, so go pick up some fresh sweet corn and make this salad today!


Ingredients (serves 6 as a side)

For the Salad
2 bunches of kale, washed, removed from stem, torn into 1 inch pieces
1/2 C uncooked quinoa, cooked and cooled
Fresh Corn Salsa (recipe below)
Island Dressing (recipe below)
chopped walnuts

For the Dressing
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 C fresh papaya, chopped
1/3 C lime juice
1/8 C rice vinegar
1/4 tsp sea salt
3/4 C canola oil
1/4 C agave nectar

For the Fresh Corn Salsa
2 ears sweet corn, kernels removed
2 tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp lime juice



Directions

  1. Put all the dressing ingredients (except canola oil) into a blender and pulse until smooth.  With the machine running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified.
  2. Place the kale, quinoa, and dressing into a large container or sealed bag and shake to evenly coat.    Refrigerate 6-8 hours.
  3. Make the fresh corn salsa by combining all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
  4. To assemble the salad: plate the dressed kale and top with 1/2 C of the corn salsa.  Add the chopped walnuts as desired.  


Inspired by Veggie Grill's All Hail Kale

7 comments:

  1. this looks so fresh and delicious!

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  2. This salad looks just amazing. I like your blog. I have just signed up as a follower. Please drop by to Carole's Chatter and check it out. You might like my Food on Friday series which focuses on a different thing. This week it is marinades and rubs. If you like my blog it would be great if you followed me back. Have a good week.

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  3. That sounds delicious and since my sissy is here and she is a raw vegan, I'll have to make this. Dawn from Spatulas On Parade

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  4. I made this last night and it was fabulous. My sissy really enjoyed, as did I. I left out a few things and made some substitutions due to the unavailability of some items. Either way, it was great! Thanks
    Dawn from @Spatulas On Parade
    And thanks for linking this to our Foodie Friends Friday link party

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  5. I don't know how I feel about raw kale, but I'm willing to try! I love island flavors and this looks fresh and delicious. I also posted a salad to Foodie Friends Friday this week, but it's a taco salad!

    Thanks for sharing! Will Pin and make later!

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  6. This sounds wonderful... I love kale and quinoa... Although buying papaya's here are always a problem, but maybe I could substitute mango. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday

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