We have another hearty salad recipe for you, Crunchy Kale Salad. Life has been crazy for us and this has been on repeat for us because we don’t have to think too much about. Make some dressing, cook some quinoa and toss it with a kale salad kit and there is lunch for the work week!
Lately we have been buying kale salad mixes because we get all the benefit of the different hearty greens (like kale, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli), but without all the chopping. Usually the mix includes a dressing packet, we just toss them because they are usually loaded with sodium and sugar. We have found a really great mix at Trader Joes called Cruciferous Crunch Collection and it does not come with a dressing (just greens) and one at Costco that is a large bag of a kale salad mix, but does come with a dressing. I think at this point you can find kale salad kits at any store, just be sure to get one that is loaded with hearty vegetables because soft leafy greens will not hold up to the dressing throughout the week. We make this salad on Sunday and take it to work all week long! Meal prep at its best!
- 1 1/4 cup quinoa
- *2 -10 oz bags of you favorite kale salad mix (dressing removed and save for another use or tossed).
- 5 medium carrots, grated
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey, (alternatively maple syrup if vegan)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- few grinds of black pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots, about 1 large shallot
- Rinse the qunioa in cold water. Place in a saucepan with two cups of water. Bring to a boil. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Let simmer until the quinoa is tender and most of the water has evaporated or about 15-18 minutes. Let it sit covered for an additional 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
- In a very large bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir in the shallots. Add the kale salad greens (dressing packet tossed or reserved for a later use), quinoa and grated carrots. Toss well to combine.
- *We like the kale salad mixes that have hearty greens (like cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts etc.). You want a mix that contains hearty greens because its more filling and it holds up to the dressing throughout the week.