Description
A vibrant and nutritious Kale Salad with crisp apples, dried cherries, toasted almonds, and tangy feta cheese, dressed with a zesty blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar, orange juice, and minced shallots. This salad balances fresh, sweet, and savory flavors perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 2 large bunches of kale, ribs removed and roughly chopped
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Make Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and minced shallots. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, combining until the dressing is smooth and well-emulsified.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the roughly chopped kale, thinly sliced apple, dried cherries, and toasted sliced almonds, ensuring an even mix of all ingredients.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the kale mixture and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly. Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese just before serving for a creamy, tangy contrast.
Notes
- Massage the kale with a small amount of dressing before adding the other ingredients to soften its texture, if desired.
- To toast almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Use a firm apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain crispness and add a tart or sweet note.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator without dressing for up to 2 days.
- For a vegan version, omit feta or replace with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: kale salad, apple salad, toasted almonds, dried cherries, feta cheese, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, no-cook salad
