Even though I love eating my veggies, and I’ve been vegetarian sine 2009 (what?!) it is only until recently that I acquired a taste of salads. This cranberry kale fall salad is one that opened my eyes into the salad world.
This salad comes from a mix of different recipes from over the years, but really the one that inspired me was this one from CLJ. Naturally, it has none of the ingredients from this recipe, but it got my brain going.
The main part that changed my way to look at salads was to make my own dressings. It is a game changer. I never really found one that was just perfect (either too sweet, too tangy, or not enough flavor). So when I decided to take matters into my own hands, a whole new salad world opened up.
Now, I know salads are usually more enticing during the summer months where you want something fresh. But the ingredients of this one really scream delicious fall and tastes great warm. I’ll be hosting a dinner on Thanksgiving day for my family, and this cranberry kale fall salad will be on the table.
about the salad…
The ingredients on this recipe are full of flavors. You’ll be surprised how well sweet, spicy and tangy work together. You won’t regret making it, L, who is not excited at all for salads, loves it, which is a great compliment, if I do say so myself.
And just as a final note, this is a great salad to complement a main dish or by itself. Sometimes I throw some diced chicken breast to L’s salad if I have it on hand. But I eat it by itself and it is so.freaking.good. You could make this salad vegan by subbing the goat cheese with a vegan version. I haven’t tried it that way but I would love to hear what suggestions you have.
Cranberry Kale Fall Salad
Ingredients
- 10 oz kale, sliced thin 1 package of Trader Joe's
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sweet and spicy pecans I use the ones from TJ's
- 1 apple, sliced thin I use Fuji apples
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
For the Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2.5 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- On a salad bowl, toss kale with dried cranberries, sliced apples, and pecans.
- For the dressing, mix all ingredients in a jar and mix thoroughly. Taste and add whatever you think it is missing, I usually end up adding a little bit more balsamic and garlic salt.
- Add dressing to salad a little bit at a time, mixing it very well to make sure everything is covered with the dressing.
- Toss in the goat cheese, mixing it slightly around the salad. Don't overdo it so you don't get the cheese to get creamy, just for presentation purposes, it does nothing to the taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
