Kale Salad with Quinoa

This Kale Salad with Quinoa is nutty and sweet with the most amazing crunchy texture. Packed with fiber and protein, it's a healthy entree or side dish.

INGREDIENTS

  

4 oz. kale

½ tsp. sea salt

1 medium semi-sweet apple, diced

1 cup cooked quinoa (heaping ¼ cup of uncooked)

½ cup toasted walnuts

¼ cup hemp hearts

For the Dressing

¼ cup olive oil

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. maple syrup

1 tsp. mustard

1 medium garlic clove, minced

¼ tsp. sea salt

¼ tsp. pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Take off the stalks on the kale and discard them. Roll the kale into a bunch and then slice the leaves into strips.

Put the kale pieces into a large mixing bowl and add the salt. Now massage it with your hands for a few minutes. Set aside.

In a small jar, shake the olive oil, maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper. This will be your dressing.

Now add the sliced apples, toasted walnuts, cooked quinoa, and hemp hearts to the bowl with the kale. Pour the dressing on top and mix everything together well. Serve.

NOTES

Variations to this Recipe

Substitute another fruit. Besides apples, you can also make this with blueberries, strawberries, pears, and mangos. This salad is so versatile.

Add other toppings. You can add raisins or dried cranberries, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, or avocados. Just cut everything to a uniform size.

Substitute other nuts. Instead of walnuts, you can use toasted almonds, pine nuts, pecans, or cashews. Make sure you toast them to get that extra layer of flavor.

Use other dressings. I love this tangy and sweet homemade dressing, but you can use others instead if you prefer. Try this No Oil Balsamic Salad Dressing or Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing.

How to Store it

Store this Kale Salad with Quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last up to 3 days because the kale is so hearty. Keep in mind that the apples will become mushy though, so try to eat it the day you make it.