Kale Lovers Salad with Citrus-Date Dressing

Hannah Sunderani
Jun 2, 2016
3 min read

If you didn't already know, I'm completely obsessed with KALE! Actually, when I first moved to France it was a major struggle to find this veg! They don't seem to have it anywhere! Fortunately, after about two months of struggle I found it at the Marche Sebastopol! This is the Saturday market, which I talk about quite a lot in my other posts. THANK GOODNESS! I'm telling you, the vendor who sells it has solely improved my quality of life just because he sells me kale. I was almost in tears of joy when I discovered him and his beautiful green veg; and ever since it has become a weekend routine to get my week's worth.

So why the obsession for kale salad?

Kale is the perfect leafy green for salads because it can take a beating! Think back to the time you packed a spinach or caesar salad for lunch; only to discover that come noon it's a soggy mess? You went out of your way to prepare a pre-packed lunch; and now you're stuck munching an overpriced bistro box from Starbucks in the downstairs lobby. Total let down, right?

Say hello to your new best friend - kale. With kale you never run into this dilemma. Kale is robust and durable! You can rip it, toss it, soak it in citrus, and it never fails you. You can even forget to put it in the fridge when you arrive to work and it's still good come noon! The fact of the matter is kale has your back. Actually, I think it even improves with time. I usually prefer my kale salads 30 mins to an hour after dressing it, so that the leaves have time to absorb the citrus and respond to the flavours. And the next day leftovers are still good!

There are many ways to dress a kale salad (and every way is delicious), but this easy-peasy Kale Lovers Salad with Citrus-Date Dressing is a go-to for me. I'm telling you; if you love kale salads you will go crazy for this one! Because not only is it made with the worlds greatest leafy green, but the dressing is out of this world! The combination of citrus and dates pairs so well you'll wonder why they haven't made a Kraft version of the stuff. It is by far my favourite dressing!

So next time you are looking for a delicious fail-proof salad try my Kale Lovers Salad with Citrus Date Dressing. I promise it will not dissapoint!

Happy munching!

Kale Lovers Salad with Citrus-Date Dressing

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 0 mins.

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale (approx. 11 stems or 230g)
3/4 cup green grapes (130g)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 tbsp hemp hearts

For the Date-Citrus Dressing:

3 dates (pits removed)
2 lemons (juiced)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
salt

Directions:

Wash kale leaves well and pat dry. Tear the leaves away from the stems and finely chop into small pieces. Place in a large bowl.
Make your dressing: add dates, lemon juice, evoo and salt to a blender. Blend on high for approx 1 minute or until creamy
Add your dressing to your kale and toss. (*for optimal taste place in fridge for 30 mins to 1 hour to allow the kale to absorb the citrus).
Add grapes, cranberries, walnuts and hemp heart and toss well

Approvals: