This Lemony Kale, Quinoa, and Fig Salad is tossed with prosciutto and gorgonzola and is satisfying enough to be enjoyed as a meal.
If you were to investigate my Google search history, you would likely see a search for "when are figs in season?" somewhere in the recent history. Because I can never remember when they're in season and I always, always want them! It turns out that fig season is mostly in the summer, but often runs through September (now that I wrote it down, maybe I'll remember??). Which means we're nearing the end of the season and I need to buy and consume as many figs as humanly possible immediately. Also, please don't snoop into my Google search history because it might make you decide you don't want to be my friend anymore. I already share too much here.
I also hope you'll still want to be my friend if I tell you I'm generally perfectly happy eating salad for dinner. Of course, it has to be the right salad. Figs almost always make it the right salad. Figs with prosciutto? The BEST salad.
LEMONY KALE, QUINOA, AND FIG SALAD RECIPE
Do you ever have a recipe with so much good stuff in it that you just don't know what to call it? That's how I feel about this salad I created. I mean, I'm calling it Lemony Kale, Quinoa, and Fig Salad, but really that doesn't even begin to cover it. Well, I guess it begins to cover it. But it kinda sorta leaves out two very crucial ingredients. Namely gorgonzola and prosciutto. But I just couldn't bring myself to call this Kale, Quinoa, Fig, Gorgonzola, and Prosciutto Salad. And the gorgonzola and prosciutto are really just some touches of flavor making an appearance, while the kale, quinoa, and figs are the star of the show.
Let's give them the spotlight, ladies and gentleman. Gorgonzola and prosciutto are always trying to steal the show. Ugh.
But I mean... I'm not sure I'd totally want to call this kale fig salad dinner if not for that prosciutto. So, I have to give it a little shoutout.
And I did just read this crazy article about how many people in France don't even know what kale is. Which made me feel both sad for the French and happy for the French at the same time. And also kind of bad for myself because French women don't get fat AND they don't eat kale. What? How? Thank goodness I love kale. If you don't, I think you miiiight after you try this kale fig salad. It's worth a shot, right?
This is the second kale and quinoa salad I've become obsessed with... But I think this one is even better than the first. And I have to admit that there's almost nothing I love more than a kale caesar salad. Even for dinner. Even when there is no meat involved. Add in some figs, prosciutto, and gorgonzola? I think my head just exploded. Also, while figs are still in season, I really want to make this Sage Fig Cocktail from Burrata and Bubbles.
And also, how is it only Wednesday? I'm just wondering. If anyone has an answer for me, I'd LOVE to hear it. Because UGH.
How do you feel about kale, quinoa, and figs acting as the stars in your salad?
Lemony Kale, Quinoa, and Fig Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups kale, ribs removed and chopped
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 3 cups cooked quinoa (from 1 cup raw quinoa)
- 8 fresh figs, quartered
- 3 oz. gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 3 oz. prosciutto, chopped
Lemony Balsamic Dressing
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1 ½ lemons)
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Place kale in a large bowl and squeeze lemon over the top. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Mix cooked quinoa into kale.
- Add quartered figs, crumbled gorgonzola, and chopped prosciutto into bowl and toss well.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
Lemony Balsamic Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk ingredients together.
Gia Grossman says
Such good ingredients in this! It's healthy but with fun stuff too 🙂
Erica says
hahah- I love your comments about french women. Too funny. The salad looks great. I don't utilize figs enough!
Joanne says
The figs are what have enticed me into this...but it's all the other awesome mixins that are making me stay! What an awesome salad!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
So unfair about French women! This looks so healthy and delicious!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
Mmm figs in here must be fantastic!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
This salad is a winning star!
Monete says
Haha. I loved the discussion on kale and french woman. So true! And this salad looks lovely. Whatever you call it, I'm going to want to eat it. Thank you for sharing!
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
Oh my goodness - like every ingredients is da bomb in this - I would see how it's so hard to title! Now I'll probably be subbing in some farro for the quinoa (I'm the one person on the planet who isn't a huge fan of it) but you better believe the kale, figs, gorgonzola and prosciutto are staying! Congrats on the Parade recipes!
Monique says
Gorgonzola is my world.
I have a love hate relationship with kale. I love when i havent seen it for a while, but i have been getting kale once per week since beginning of summer thanks to my CSA.
Also, i cant eat it raw. it feels weird to me. So i am working on that. I sliced it really thin and put it in a curry sauce yesterday- oooooh my!!!
Love the colors in your masterpiece!
cquek says
ooo these look incredible.
Mal says
This sounds so yummy- fresh figs are one of my favorite things
Lail | With A Spin says
Love the sound of this salad. Thanks for sharing.
Jan says
What happened to the other poster "chels", is she still part of this bog? Seems strange that she doesn't post anymore.
Monica says
This looks delicious! I love quinoa with greens.