I’m still rolling along with some of the healthy recipes, don’t abandon me there’s chocolate coming soon! But if you made one of those resolution things for nought-16, stick this tasty kale salad on your lunch rotation.
The quantities are very loosey goosey so don’t be shy to taste and tweak the recipe as you’re making it. Any grain could be switched for the quinoa, spinach for kale or green onions for red onions.
But let’s stick to what’s on the screen. I’ve noticed that salmon and chicken are always popular ingredients for people to cook with. Both are easy and full of protein, and you can roast them in advance so that all you have to do is chop them up and add them to a salad at the last minute.
Kale. I like you but you’re not the first green vegetable I think about when I’m in the produce section, but I’m changing and I think a few more dates are needed before I really fall in love with you. Until then, I’ll keep sneaking you into other things like salads and wraps.
There’s a few steps to this salad but you can start a day ahead and then all you need to do on the day is put it together. Don’t worry too much about cooking the salmon perfectly because it’s going to be crumbled up and mixed in amongst the rest of the ingredients.
This ain’t no salmon cooking skill test.
The dressing is a simple lemon juice, mustard and vinegar mixture with some (a good tablespoon) of minced garlic. Mix that with some awesome extra virgin olive oil and add it to the salad in small quantities. I don’t think you’ll use it all, but it’ll keep and can be used on something else.
Salad dressings are so simple to make and they’ll free up some space in your fridge doors from store bought bottles.
If you have any of this salad leftover you were probably at the wrong party, but throw it in a container and it’ll be perfect for a quick lunch the next day.
Let me know if you make this or any of my recipes by leaving a comment or tagging me on Instagram (@foodnessgracious) it makes me happy to see your creations.
Salmon Quinoa and Kale Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 pound salmon
- 3-4 cups cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 bunch of green kale washed and roughly chopped without the stems.
- 1/2 of a cucumber
- 3 Roma tomatoes
- 1/2 of a red onion
- 1 tablespoon diced jalapeno
- 3/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon capers
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
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Season the salmon with salt and black pepper, or your favorite seasoning mix.
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Place the salmon in an oven-safe pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until no longer pink in the middle. Let cool.
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In another pan bring the water to a simmer and add the kale.
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Cover and steam until wilted and soft, about 5-6 minutes.
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Transfer the kale to a plate and giving it a slight squeeze to remove any excess water.
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Make the dressing by adding the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, garlic, and Dijon to a blender.
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Slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil and mix until it emulsifies and thickens.
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Peel the cucumber and cut it in half lengthwise, chop each half and add to a large bowl.
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Cut the tomatoes into quarters and take out the seeds. Slice, chop and add to the bowl.
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Slice the red onion thinly and add to the bowl with the jalapeno cilantro, capers, cooked quinoa and chopped kale.
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Break up the salmon into chunks and add half to the bowl.
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Add some of the salad dressing and toss all of the ingredients in the bowl together.
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Taste and add more dressing if you prefer.
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Transfer the salad to a large serving platter and crumble the remaining half of the salmon over the top.
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Serve at once with extra dressing on the side.
Barbara says
February 1, 2016 at 6:00 amAlways looking for healthy recipes, and your salmon and quinoa salad looks like a winner. Will have to try this recipe. I am always on the look out for new and interesting ways to eat salmon and get those omega 3s in.
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
February 1, 2016 at 6:34 amAfter a weekend of gluttony, I need a big bowl of this salad!
Naomi says
February 1, 2016 at 8:07 amI love hearty salads like this–great for dinner or lunch!
Matt says
February 1, 2016 at 8:35 amI need a healthy salad like this, absolutely awesome Gerry
SaraLily says
February 1, 2016 at 8:56 amOh this looks delicious! It’d be such a good post-gym meal! I have been on a salmon kick lately and I think this will have to be made next!! =D
Jennifer Farley says
February 1, 2016 at 10:07 amWhat a wonderfully balanced, beautiful and healthy salad!
Joan | HappyForks.com says
February 1, 2016 at 1:24 pmBarbara, if you want to have even bigger portion of omega 3s in salad you can replace virgin olive oil by linseed oil. Linseed oil contains the highest level of the omega-3 fatty acid among vegetable oils
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
February 1, 2016 at 8:13 pmI need this salad for lunch to offset the chocolate I added to my granola ;).
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
February 2, 2016 at 6:43 amThis looks so hearty AND healthy!! You can bet I am making it!
Gail says
December 29, 2016 at 7:33 amThis looks wonderful, but I’m not a fan of quinoa. Can I sub couscous or rice?
foodnessgracious says
December 29, 2016 at 2:06 pmHi Gail, you could totally sub for couscous or rice, even lentils, bulgur or any grain that you love :)
Rachel says
September 5, 2018 at 1:25 pmI’ve made this many times!! It’s always delicious and a favorite of my family’s! I’ve even made it with chicken or shrimp before.
foodnessgracious says
September 6, 2018 at 8:13 pmAwesome thanks Rachel!!!