I have a rule that says if you make a recipe three times in two weeks, you should probably blog about it. Unless that recipe is nachos. Because there are ocassions when I do have nachos for dinner. But you don't need to see evidence of that. Really, actually pretend I didn't say that. This post is about kale! and quinoa! And yes, I absolutely eat healthy homemade dinners every night. Suuure.
I made this for the first time to bring to my sister's house for the 4th of July. It was the day before we went on vacation and I basically put everything in this salad that I needed to use up before we went away. Funny that it worked out so well that it's now pretty much my favorite salad ever. And it's superbly easy to throw together. That's why I call it "Everyday." Because I want to eat it every single day. And it's easy enough that I do.
Everyday Kale and Quinoa Salad (serves 6):
Print this recipe!
- 1 ½ C dry quinoa
- 6 C cleaned and chopped kale
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 C blueberries
- 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 lime
- Extra virgin olive oil
Welp. There's not really much that's difficult to figure out here. Besides the fact that you'll want to cook the quinoa. I brought my 1 ½ C quinoa to a boil with 3 C of water. Then I lowered to a simmer, covered, and let cook for about 15 minutes, until water was absorbed. I fluffed up the quinoa and put it in a bowl in the fridge to cool.
You'll also want to clean and tear up your kale (getting rid of the tough rib in the middle) or buy it already cleaned and chopped in a bag (BEST EVER).
Put it in a large bowl and sprinkle with the juice of one lime. Get as much juice out as you can. And let the kale sit in the lime juice for about 30 minutes.
And then? Then add in the quinoa and your other ingredients and toss together. I drizzled a little extra virgin olive oil on top and combined with the lime juice the kale soaked in, this was my salad dressing.
Yup, salads are easy. Almost stupid easy. I feel a little bad even calling this a recipe, but not really because it is one. And once you try it, you'll (hopefully) be happy it's here.
This is how I made the salad the first time I made it with what I had left in my fridge. I wasn't sure how it would all come together and thought the blueberries might be a little weird, but I ended up loving them. I made the salad again for a family party while on the vacation. And then I made it again the day after I got home from vacation to bring for work lunches for the week. And now that I'm looking at these photos, I'm seriously upset I haven't made it yet this week. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm a little in love.
I used to think that people who claimed they were obsessed with kale were just saying that to sound all healthy and better-than-everyone-else. Sure, you can like kale OK and feel good about eating it, but be addicted to it? Let's not try to pretend it's a slice of chocolate cake here. But now I actually kind of get it. Yesterday I craved kale. Craved it. I had peanut butter cups sitting on my desk, but I wanted a bowl of lime-drenched kale. Who stole Susie and when are you bringing her back?
Speaking of, have you seen Bon Appetit's article on "44 Years of Trendy Vegetables"? Both avocado (1969) and kale are on there. Considering this salad involves quinoa, too, I'd say this is one trendy salad. Ever think you'd refer to a salad as trendy? Nope, me neither. I'd be worried about if I wasn't so darn thrilled over it.
But really, I think this salad is so grand because it's the perfect combination of greens and grains. Plus, there is avocado and feta cheese involved and that automatically makes anything awesome. Oh wait, blueberries, too. Talk about antioxidants!
I have a tendency to overdo foods I love sometimes, so I'm interested to see how many times I make this salad before I decide I want nothing to do with it anymore. I really hope that never happens.
What have you been eating for lunch lately?
[Sues]
Erica says
hahah- definitely a trendy (and delicious) salad! I love fruit in salads...and grains for that matter. Both add something so special, so perfect.
Nicole says
This sounds incredible! I love how kale holds up nicely to any dressing and still holds its shape. It's so pretty with the blueberries!
Michelle Collins says
Oooh, this is my kind of salad! Lately, I've been eating wraps with chips and a pickle for lunch. Nothing too exciting. 😉
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
I loove kale. Still have to figure out how to make quiona work for me, I'm not a fan.
Judy Miller says
.......never thought I'd so enjoy something that healthy..........but honestly, can you ever imagine ME choosing kale over the peanut butter cups???????
Shannon says
this is definitely the type of salad i find myself eating all the time, too 🙂 yum!!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
Nothing mundane about this salad, even if it is an every day thing! I've been making big batches of quinoa salads. I should definitely add some kale!
Kitchen Belleicious says
love all the flavors going on here and the textures. It looks divine and perfect for any night of the week
Barbara says
Wonder if this would work with swiss chard?
jan says
I love your blog..have used many of your recipes....what happened to Chelsea? I pray that she is OK..always loved her posts
Odetta says
Healthy and delicious! I'm totally loving kale now too!
Simply Life says
I definitely agree with that rule!
Megan says
That looks wonderful! I've been craving veggies like this lately. (And I ate nachos for dinner last night.)
Lawyer Loves Lunch says
Oooh, I love all the colors in this salad! And for the record, I think a nachos post is totally necessary now 🙂
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
I can understand your kale craving - there are those odd times when I so totally CRAVE broccoli!
Love your combination of blueberries with the quinoa, kale, etc. I have'nt tried that before and feel I must.
Glad to have stumbled on your post
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
this sounds great! i love the idea of using blueberries in a kale salad too 🙂
Beth says
This salad is super yum! Can't wait to have it again!
Susan says
Your salad looks beautiful, Sues! I have a hard time liking raw kale but I'm going to try your lime juice marinate.
Alex says
I love kale salads! I would easily eat this three times a week. Maybe on the nachos?! 😉
Irene says
Does the lime remove the bitterness?
Sues says
@Irene- I would say the purpose of the lime is more to soften the kale, so it's not so tough. However, the added citrus flavor does make it taste a little less bitter (I actually like the bitter taste, though!)
Marilyn says
I was looking for a quinoa recipe and wanted to include kale as I love both. I will make this for my potluck at work on Monday and let you all know how it turned out! Thanks for the recipe!