Description
A vibrant and nutritious Kale Orange Salad bursting with fresh citrus flavors, crunchy almonds, tangy goat cheese, and a bright white balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a refreshing winter side or light meal, this salad combines wholesome kale with juicy mandarins and blood oranges for a delightful taste and texture contrast.
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 well combined. Chill until ready to serve.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, add the thinly sliced kale, half of the toasted sliced almonds, half of the sliced green onions, and the mandarin orange segments.
- Toss the salad: Pour the chilled vinaigrette over the kale mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Finish and serve: Top the salad with the remaining almonds and green onions, arrange the blood orange halves on top, sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese, and serve immediately.
Notes
- This salad is perfect for the winter season, utilizing citrus fruits at their peak freshness.
- Substitute blood orange with navel orange if unavailable.
- To toast almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Reduce or omit honey in vinaigrette for a less sweet dressing.
- Massaging the kale with a little olive oil before assembling can soften its texture if preferred.
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
