Love this recipe? Save it to Pinterest before you forget!
Why You'll Love This winter citrus and kale salad with toasted almonds for festive family meals
- Easy to Make: This salad is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
- Healthy and Delicious: This salad is packed with nutritious ingredients, including kale, citrus, and almonds, making it a great option for a healthy meal.
- Customizable: You can easily customize this salad to suit your tastes by adding or subtracting ingredients.
- Perfect for Winter: The combination of citrus and kale makes this salad perfect for the winter months when these ingredients are at their peak.
- Great for Gatherings: This salad is perfect for serving at gatherings and parties, as it's easy to make in large quantities and can be served as a side dish or a light lunch.
- Beautiful Presentation: The combination of colors and textures in this salad makes it a beautiful and visually appealing dish to serve.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Flavorful Dressing: The citrus vinaigrette adds a bright and tangy flavor to the salad, making it a refreshing and delicious dish to enjoy.
Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients in this salad are the kale, citrus, almonds, and citrus vinaigrette. The kale provides a nutritious and filling base for the salad, while the citrus adds a burst of flavor and color. The almonds provide a satisfying crunch, and the citrus vinaigrette brings everything together with its tangy and refreshing flavor. When selecting kale, look for bunches with crisp, dark green leaves. For citrus, choose a variety of oranges, such as navel or blood oranges, and grapefruits for a beautiful and flavorful combination. For almonds, you can use sliced or slivered almonds, depending on your preference. The citrus vinaigrette is made with freshly squeezed citrus juice, olive oil, and a hint of honey for sweetness.
How to Make winter citrus and kale salad with toasted almonds for festive family meals
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to toast the almonds.
Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
Remove the stems from the kale and discard. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces and massage with your hands for 2-3 minutes to tenderize.
Cut the tops and bottoms off the citrus fruits and remove the peels. Segment the citrus into supremes, or wedges, and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the citrus juice, olive oil, and honey until well combined.
In a large bowl, combine the kale, citrus segments, and toasted almonds. Drizzle the citrus vinaigrette over the top and toss to combine.
Tips for Perfect Results
Choose fresh and flavorful ingredients to ensure the best taste and texture in your salad.
Dress the salad just before serving to prevent the kale from becoming soggy and the citrus from becoming bitter.
Toast the almonds until they are golden brown and fragrant, but not burnt. This will bring out their natural flavor and texture.
Massaging the kale with your hands will help to tenderize it and remove any bitterness, making it a more enjoyable eating experience.
Feel free to add other ingredients to the salad, such as diced apples or dried cranberries, to give it more flavor and texture.
Add some protein, such as grilled chicken or salmon, to make the salad a more substantial meal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Not Massaging the Kale: Failing to massage the kale can result in a bitter and tough texture, making the salad less enjoyable to eat.
Fix: Take the time to massage the kale with your hands for 2-3 minutes to tenderize it and remove any bitterness.
-
Overdressing the Salad: Adding too much dressing can make the salad soggy and overpowering, masking the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Fix: Dress the salad just before serving, and use a light hand when adding the dressing to avoid overdressing.
-
Not Toasting the Almonds: Failing to toast the almonds can result in a lack of flavor and texture in the salad.
Fix: Take the time to toast the almonds in the oven until they are golden brown and fragrant, bringing out their natural flavor and texture.
-
Not Using High-Quality Ingredients: Using low-quality ingredients can result in a lack of flavor and texture in the salad.
Fix: Choose fresh and flavorful ingredients to ensure the best taste and texture in your salad.
Variations & Substitutions
Add some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to give the salad a spicy kick.
Replace the kale with a mix of fresh berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, for a sweet and refreshing fruit salad.
Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to give the salad a satisfying crunch.
Add some grilled chicken or salmon to make the salad a more substantial meal.
Storage & Make-Ahead
The salad can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 hours before serving. Make sure to dress the salad just before serving to prevent the kale from becoming soggy.
The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving. Make sure to dress the salad just before serving to prevent the kale from becoming soggy.
The salad can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to dress the salad just before serving to prevent the kale from becoming soggy. When freezing, it's best to freeze the individual components separately, such as the kale, citrus, and almonds, and then assemble the salad just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare this salad up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Can I use other types of citrus fruits?
Yes! You can use a variety of citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, to create a unique and delicious flavor combination.
Can I add other ingredients to the salad?
Yes! Feel free to add other ingredients, such as diced apples or dried cranberries, to give the salad more flavor and texture.
Can I make this salad for a large group?
Yes! This salad is perfect for large groups, as it can be easily scaled up or down depending on the number of guests. Simply multiply the ingredients to make the desired amount.
Can I use pre-washed kale?
Yes! You can use pre-washed kale to save time, but make sure to still massage the kale with your hands to tenderize it and remove any bitterness.
Can I make this salad for a special diet?
Yes! This salad is gluten-free, vegan, and paleo-friendly, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Simply omit any ingredients that do not fit within the desired diet.
winter citrus and kale salad with toasted almonds for festive family meals
Ingredients
- 2 cups curly kale, stems removed and discarded, leaves coarsely chopped
- 1 cup mixed winter citrus segments (such as blood oranges, navel oranges, and grapefruits)
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the kale. Rinse the chopped kale leaves in a large bowl of cold water, then spin them dry in a salad spinner. Remove the stems and discard.
- Step 2: Segment the citrus. Cut the tops and bottoms off the citrus fruits, then slice along the membranes to release the segments. Set aside.
- Step 3: Toast the almonds. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the sliced almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely.
- Step 4: Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 5: Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine the chopped kale, citrus segments, sliced red onion, and chopped fresh mint leaves. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Step 6: Top with toasted almonds and feta cheese (if using). Sprinkle the toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese (if using) over the salad and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- To make ahead, prepare the kale, citrus segments, and toasted almonds up to a day in advance. Store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a vegetarian alternative.
- To add some crunch, top the salad with chopped pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
- For a lighter dressing, use only 1 tablespoon of olive oil and reduce the amount of vinegar to 1 teaspoon.
