January 20, 2014

KALE & QUINOA SALAD WITH POMEGRANATE, APPLE & FETA


I had a plan for this year - I was going to make and blog about a new salad every week. Partly because I think salads get a bad press, especially in the stodgy wintertime, and partly because salads are one of my favourite types of food. But, as with all plans I seem to make regarding this blog, it hasn't quite worked out that way, and here we are in week 3 of January and I've only got one salad under my belt. Oh well, let it be 'a salad a month' instead, or 'a salad when I get around to it'.

We are really onto a winner here, with our debut salad of 2014. It's got kale, it's got quinoa and it's got pomegranate - all great for you and perfect for this time of year. The added apple gives it an extra sweet kick & the walnuts provide a really nice texture. 
This salad really is quick, easy and tastes absolutely delicious - enjoy!

Kale & Quinoa salad with Pomegranate, Apple & Feta
Serves four

For the salad:
- 1/3 cup quinoa
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 cups kale, finely shredded
- 1 large apple, sliced into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 feta, crumbled

For the dressing:
- 1 tbsp minced garlic,
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp agave
- 3/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Method:
1. Cook the quinoa by bringing the water and the quiona to the boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cover. Simmer for approx 15 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and let it sit uncovered for about 5 minutes, to cool.
2. Once cooled, toss together the quinoa, kale, apple, pomegranate and walnuts. Let sit whilst you make your dressing:
3. In a clean jam jar mash together the garlic, mustard, agave, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the red wine vinegar, lemon juice and olive oil. Put the lid on tight, and shake well to combine. (The remaining dressing will keep in the fridge in a  tight fitting lid for about a month)
4. Dress the salad with the dressing according to taste before sprinkling over the crumbled feta.
5. Serve & enjoy!



15 comments:

  1. looks good! I need to eat more salad!!

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  2. this looks DELICIOUS! lovely photo too :)

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  3. this looks amazing! love pomegranate seeds, Wilf calls them jewels :) The green in that kale looks fantastic, will defo try this (sans feta) soon! x

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    1. Aww, Florence used to call them jewels too! Let me know how it tastes vegan :)

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  4. That looks amazing! Tasty and virtuous. How I like my....salads.
    I had exactly the same intention for my blog - a salad a week. I'm working full-time though so finding it really hard to take a decent photo when the evenings are so dark. Hence no salads (yet). Fancy starting a little blog club? We could call it The Salad Club and post on Instagram with #thesaladclub. Maybe also set up a cheeky little Pinterest board. Whaddya reckon? Lucy x

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    1. Oooo yes, i like that idea, Lucy! We might need to pick a different hashtag though as there is a blog called The Salad Club. Hmmmmm, what could a good name be.....?

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  5. Yes there is a blog called The Salad Club. They started French and Grace in Brixton Village didn't they (it's very good if you're ever in Brixton) and wrote a cookbook. Erm - #dizzyssaladclub #saladdays #slavetosalad #welovesalad #12salads #salad*s #getyoursaladon #allsaladout ... I am open to suggestions!

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    1. #getyoursaladon HAS to be! Fab - lets get cracking!
      I love the F&G book, Kitchen & Co. There are some keepers in there. I'd love to visit there place, maybe I will when i'm in London next!

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    2. Time to get my salad on...might have to wait until later in the week though. I'm currently panic-baking for a cake sale at my son's school tomorrow. Not sure I can get creative with kale at this time of night. I'm looking forward to sharing some salad goodness though. x

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  6. I'm so pleased you've added this recipe, I have been trying to kickstart eating salad every week but have failed to do so. I have now found my first one to try :) x

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    1. Let me know what you think - i love it!

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  7. Oh this seriously looks good, I have to say Kale is one of my favourite things - I love the almost seaweed type taste to it when baked - so yummy and goes with some many ingredients and is perfect for salad or my personal favourite on top of homemade pizza - this salad sounds divine :)

    Laura x

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