Kale Quinoa and Cranberry Salad
Can you believe that this is the first kale recipe I have ever made? I mean, I am a Vancouverite! I am supposed to be all about quinoa, kale and yoga. So far it have only been dabbling in quinoa cooking and yoga classes. It's time to jump face first onto the kale bandwagon.
I know. I'm so behind with the food trends. I mean, even parents hopped aboard the "we love kale" train when there was a huge increase in the name "Kale" in the most recent years. I guess 2012 was calling me today and I answered. With a recipe fit for (American) Thanksgiving.
Also, if anyone wants to tell me the reason why Canada and America have separate days for their Thanksgiving, I would be very interested to know. But apparently not interested enough to Google it myself.
This Kale Quinoa and Cranberry Salad was spawned after a rather ridiculous amazing Sunday (after) brunch that happened this weekend. I'm sure we all have our reasons for making kale salad.
I made this recipe last month, but the pictures of it that I took were terrible! Which is almost unbelievable, seeing as how kale may be one of the most photogenic vegetables out there! But ever since then, this kale salad has been making the regular rounds in my place. It's so easy, and 100% satisfying.
Can this salad be anymore fall?
What you need to make Kale Quinoa and Cranberry Salad
I always have all of these ingredients in my house. All you need is:
- quinoa
- kale
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- garlic
- dried cranberries
- pumpkin seeds
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If you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Kale, Quinoa and Cranberry Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup quinoa
- 5 cups kale, cut into small pieces
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries
- ⅔ cup pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the quinoa and reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until the water absorbs into the quinoa, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Put kale in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and salt together. Pour onto the kale, and massage into the kale. Add the slightly cooled quinoa, cranberries and pumpkin seeds to the dressed kale and toss to incorporate.
Notes
- This makes great leftovers! Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Make sure the quinoa isn't too cold when you mix it with the kale. The warm quinoa allows the kale to soften a bit and make it less tough.
Nutrition
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I think the cranberries are an excellent addition. I had a lot of kale and I will plant some more as I had to remove the last of it a few weeks ago 🙂
Love this salad Cathleen!
This salad looks fresh and delicious! I love quinoa and the combination with kale is amazing!
Kale salads are my favourite, and I love that you used cranberries! You never cease to amaze me with your seriously creative (and delicious!) ideas!
Alessandra (www.thefoodieteen.com)
Oh, YUM! I love a good kale salad and yours looks divine. And i have no idea why Canada and the USA have different Thanksgivings either, but I've wondered that myself!
By golly, this is beautiful - am gonna have to try this one day. Love the freshness! 😀
MMMmm this looks like crunchy healthy goodness wrapped up in a salad bowl. I eat salad for lunch every day and can't wait to try this!
I just learned (and let me say I don't know how I can't recall long division but this is in my mind) that the majority of dogs named Kale live in Washington State. Close enough to you: you are in the Kale Belt of the Americas!
This is such a simple but wonderfully filling salad. Thanks for posting this. Delish
beautiful looking salad 🙂
This looks gorgeous! I love the kale/cranberry combination!
wow..healthy salad !
I don't think I can wait for Thanksgiving to make this! Can't wait to try it!
Mmmmm this looks fantastic! I loved how you pulled a "Chandler Bing" at the end there as well, haha classic!
I hadn't cooked with kale either until only a couple of weeks ago, but I love the flavour of it, so tasty! And this salad, yum! Hearty, healthy and SO delicious 😀 Mmmm ^ ^
Cathleen, your salad looks great! I don't know if there is kale where I live. Perhaps I should look harder on my next grocery shopping trip.