Imagine a salad that's not just a side dish, but a culinary adventure that dances on your palate with vibrant citrus notes, crunchy toasted walnuts, and nutrient-packed kale. This Citrus Kale Salad with Honey Walnuts is more than just a recipe – it's a refreshing explosion of flavors that will revolutionize your approach to healthy eating. Whether you're a health enthusiast, a flavor seeker, or simply someone looking to elevate their meal game, this dish promises to be your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Kale, chopped
- Orange segments
- Honey
- Walnuts, toasted
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Wash the kale thoroughly under cold water, then remove the tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped kale in a large mixing bowl.
- Next, peel the oranges and segment them by cutting between the membranes to release the juicy segments. Set the orange segments aside for later use.
- In a small skillet, add the walnuts and toast them over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure they do not burn. Once they are golden and fragrant, remove them from the heat and let them cool slightly.
- In a separate small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning to your preference.
- Once the walnuts have cooled, chop them roughly and add them to the bowl with the kale. Then, add the orange segments on top of the kale and walnuts.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until the kale, walnuts, and orange segments are well coated with the dressing.
- Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the kale to soften slightly.
- Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the salad in individual bowls or on a large platter.
Tips
- Massage the kale: To soften the leaves and reduce bitterness, spend a few minutes massaging the chopped kale with a little olive oil before adding other ingredients.
- Toast walnuts carefully: Keep a close eye on the walnuts while toasting to prevent burning. They should be golden and fragrant, not dark and bitter.
- Segment oranges like a pro: Use a sharp knife to cut between the membranes for perfect, juicy orange segments that will distribute evenly in the salad.
- Let the salad rest: Allowing the salad to sit for 5-10 minutes helps the flavors meld and softens the kale slightly, making it more enjoyable to eat.
- Customize to taste: Feel free to add other ingredients like feta cheese, dried cranberries, or swap honey for maple syrup to make the recipe your own.
- Prep in advance: You can wash and chop the kale and toast the walnuts ahead of time to make assembly quicker when you're ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 295kcal
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
