Appetizer / Dairy Free / Diet Specific / Gluten Free / Paleo / Recipes / Salads / Sides / Vegan / Vegetarian / Whole30

Kale Apple Almond Salad

12.06.16

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! it's perfect for the holidays, i could totally see it as a potluck item or on the dinner table as a healthy side! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

four words: kale apple almond salad.

YAS.

why?  because this is everything.  it's superfood packed and DELISH and… not to mention… whole30 compliant!

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! it's perfect for the holidays, i could totally see it as a potluck item or on the dinner table as a healthy side! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

SO.  this salad is modeled after my favoriteeeeeee salad at bread & butter.  i put my own spin on it – a winter spin if you will, but i LOVE it as a side with some grilled chicken and avocado and a grain and and and EVERYTHING.

that's what i get when i go to the hot food bar for lunch at work.

so. good.

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! it's perfect for the holidays, i could totally see it as a potluck item or on the dinner table as a healthy side! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

anywho.  like i said.  this is definitely a DECEMBER salad.  it could also be a january salad.  or maybe even a february salad.  but the pomegranate is probably best in december.  and the pomegranate is KEY.

plus it just makes it look so GORGEOUS.  you guys know i'm obsessed with the color of pomegranate right?  cause i am.  favorite color.  the end.

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! the vinagrette is just so warm and citrus-y! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

in the recipe i tell you to use the vinegar and citrus juice of your choice.  i'll tell you right now, i used a specialty vinegar (mulled spices) and grapefruit juice (fresh).

i'd DIE for this with like a strawberry vinegar though.  or even my favorite red wine vinegar would be good.  thats what i love about this vinaigrette, you can just do whatever feels right.  (definitely try strawberry vinegar and orange juice!)

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! the vinagrette is just so warm and citrus-y! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

so you can shake up the dressing SUPER fast and then you just have to massage it in!

this is what makes kale tolerable!  kale is wonderful like that, it won't wilt to the point where it's mushy, even if you leave it in the fridge for like a day or two!  but massaging it makes it gentler and the kale takes on the flavor and its just amazing.

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! it's perfect for the holidays, i could totally see it as a potluck item or on the dinner table as a healthy side! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

then you sprinkle all the stuff.  yeah STUFF.  (aka the almonds, apple, chia seeds, pomegranate seeds). and it becomes gorgeous and amazing.

i just want to share it with everyone.  all the people.

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! the vinagrette is just so warm and citrus-y! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

let's be real.  the “stuff” is the best part of this whole thing.

well… unless you make it with chicken.  like garlic onion chicken.  or strawberry balsamic drumsticks.

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! it's perfect for the holidays, i could totally see it as a potluck item or on the dinner table as a healthy side! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

Kale Apple Almond Salad
Author: Ashley
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6 people
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch kale
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar of choice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 honey crisp apple
  • 1/4 cup slivered or crushed almonds
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
  • salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Rinse the kale and, using your fingers, rip the kale into little pieces (avoid the stalky rib). Put the Kale in a large bowl.
  2. Whisk together the vinegar and olive oil. Drizzle over the kale and massage the dressing into the pieces.
  3. Cut the apple into match sticks and mix into the kale. Be sure to get some of the dressing on the apple, to keep the fruit from oxidizing!
  4. Sprinkle the salad with the almonds, pomegranate seeds, chia seeds, and salt & pepper.
  5. Set the salad in the fridge and let the kale marinade! If you're making the salad more than 20 minutes to 2 hours ahead of time, I'd keep the toppings off until serving time and just let the kale marinade in the dressing on its own!
Notes
[url href=”undefined”][img src=”http://thepikeplacekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/make-it-a-meal.jpg” width=”261″ height=”50″ class=”aligncenter size-full” title=”make it a meal”][/url][br]i'd definitely be on board with making this and having it with either [url href=”http://thepikeplacekitchen.com/6-ingredient-garlic-onion-chicken/” target=”_blank”]garlic onion chicken[/url] or [url href=”http://thepikeplacekitchen.com/strawberry-basil-balsamic-chicken-drumsticks/” target=”_blank”]strawberry balsamic drumsticks[/url]!

a super easy AND pretty kale apple almond salad! it's perfect for the holidays, i could totally see it as a potluck item or on the dinner table as a healthy side! | thepikeplacekitchen.com

get me a fork.  …. please? ❤️

Make it? Lemme see it! Hashtag it: #thepikeplacekitchen

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