I was ridiculously excited to see Kale in the market the other day. Kale! I mean, we’re a tropical country so it doesn’t really grow here (as far as I know), and there isn’t large enough of a market to sustain large scale kale (ha! Everyone’s a poet nowadays) importation.
I’m not really a jewelry kinda gal. I wear my wedding rings but not all the time, and I’ve taken to wearing a watch recently. I have phases with different types of jewelry (sometimes just expect to see me in a bracelet or a long necklace) but when it comes to coordinating the two, you’ve come to the wrong girl. Plus earrings? Forget about it.
So yes, I’m a nerd who loves food and would rather spend my money on a fancy coffee cup or fancy ingredients than a fancy necklace, so I guess it makes sense that the only jewels that catch my eye are the tones of this salad. Lol. See how I brought it back to food?
I love the look of green and purple together – the simple opulence of the combination makes me think of royal, exotic places, of billowing scarves and lanterns casting their muted golden glow on peacocks roaming around freely. If you’re reading this blog because you’re a food nerd like me, I’m hoping that you can see where I’m coming from. If you’re reading this for any other reason, I’m pretty sure you’re thinking “um…all this for a SALAD!?” Sorry. We eat with our eyes first and that’s what I see. Just don’t call me the salad whisperer.
Jeweled Kale Salad w/ Citrus Soy Dressing
For the Salad
1 cup Kale, washed & chopped
1/2 cup Purple Cabbage, chopped
1/2 cup Cashew nuts, raw
1 tsp Sesame seeds (optional)
For the Dressing
1/4 cup Orange Juice
1/4 tsp freshly grated Ginger
1/2 tbsp. Soy Sauce
Pinch Black pepper
Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast Cashews for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, watching closely to ensure that it doesn’t burn. In the meantime, prepare the Dressing by whisking all ingredients together.
Toss Kale, Cabbage & Cashews with the Dressing. Top with sesame seeds if desired.
Although I love the dressing that paired with this recipe, if you want a heartier, more fall-type salad, or basically just want to use up extras, you can use the Toasted Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette I posted about a while back instead. It totally works.
Have a fantastic weekend, catch up on all the great shows that have made their debut, get your weekend projects done, call that friend you’ve been meaning to call, read a few more pages in that book on your shelf. Just remember to eat well and be happy.
So simple to make but it looks gorgeous! And thanks for the salad dressing suggestion. My husband has developed a bunch of allergies so we can’t just buy dressing.
Thanks! I find homemade dressing to be so much better than store bought…you can really taste the difference.
This is a beautiful salad. Who needs jewelry when you’ve got jewels on your plate? I love seeing such vibrant colors in a bowl. Kale is available in California in abundance, thankfully, and I look forward to make a jeweled salad myself one of these days. Have a great weekend, Indira!
I’ve always wanted to grow kale and asparagus, but I don’t think that even grows here unless you’re a super sophisticated gardener with super sophisticated tools lol. Lucky you with the Kale! We do have great crops of other things here…maybe my palate just likes to be difficult lol.
Ditto that. My husband buys me all the things I want for the kitchen plus some. I spend our money on food and wine (leisure money). Who needs the jewels when we epwould rather eat the jewels. Fun read.
Thanks Stacey 🙂 I sometimes feel like its “kitchen gadget of the week” in my house so I splurge on that and good ingredients. My husband is a good sport though. At least it isn’t a real jewel of the week lol.
I am so glad you were able to get some kale! I love kale! This sounds yummy and fresh!
Thanks Lori! I really hope I find it again in the market 🙂
Mmmy looks so healthy, I havnt had kale in ages x
Thanks Justine!
This looks so yummy, I love the colour contrast! I’m the same with jewelry, I wear the same necklace every day that has sentimental meaning. I’ll occasionally wear rings but nothing fancy
Thanks Michelle. I realized the other day that I have a specific regular necklace that I’ve been wearing for the last 8 years. It’s my go-to fancy-ish necklace, and it wasn’t expensive, but 8 years! Crazy…or is it just lazy? Lol
I 100% agree- these are indeed jewel tones! I was just talking with someone the other day in the grocery store about how different kinds of delicious, bright colored foods catch my eye and my wallet soooo much more than bright colored jewelry or clothes! I bet that orange dressing is EXCELLENT on this pretty salad!
Thank you! In recent years I’ve really come to love the bright vibrant colours that only fruits & fresh veggies have. Is it wrong to say that it gets me irrationally excited? hehehe
I love all the ingredients in your salad. Love the combination of green and purple, will definitely try it!
Thanks Suchitra! Would love to know what you thought of it when you try it.
Hey Indira! I love your jewelled salad! Me too: I would far rather spend my money on lovely, bejewelled food items! This is a gorgeous salad and I’m happy for you that you found some kale! 😀
Thanks Julianna 🙂
Such beautiful vibrant colors! Looks gorgeous!
Thanks Sarah!
Gorgeous salad Indira! Love the colors too, so vibrant, just begging to be enjoyed! I do believe we can grow kale here in the Eastern USA. I am actually taking a class on Kale believe it or not, the nutrients it exudes is just unbelievable! I’ll be trying this pretty soon, love the citrus flavors going on too.
Thanks Loretta! Your kale class sounds pretty interesting – would love to know the details of it. I heard rumblings that some people are trying to grow kale over here, but I guess will have to wait and see.
[…] Indira […]
Happy Fiesta Friday, Indira! Haha! I have to laugh..because I just had a conversation with my daughter about an hour ago, telling her that I didn’t want the extra kale that she had, because I was sick of it this year!! And now, I’ll be texting her after I’m finished typing this to you…to let her know that I want that kale after all. This is not only pretty…but I’m certain it is delicious…
It’s jewelicious. LOVE this. Thank you so much for sharing…and I cannot wait to give it a try! ❤
Thanks Prudy 🙂 Did you end up getting that extra kale and trying this recipe? Would love to know how it turned out!
You’re a poet and you didn’t even know it. I definitely agree about the color combination, and the dressing sounds delicious. Happy FF, and have a wonderful weekend. 😀
Thanks Kaila 🙂
The salad whisper! I love it!! I really think these colors are gorgeous together, and I bet the citrus dressing is light and flavorful.
Hehehe thank you! The dressing was great, and I like that the salad takes well to different flavours as well, so you can use whatever dressing you have on hand.
Beautiful! I feel so lucky to have kale year round. I’ll have two servings please.
Thank you! Yep, you are lucky for having regular access to kale…please send some over for me and I’ll send you some salad back 😀
Wonderful, healthy, colorful, what more could you ask for? Thanks for bringing to FF!
Thanks Sue! 🙂
This looks really beautiful, very regal indeed! And thanks for the tip on the dressing – I’ve been looking for oil free dressing for some time! Happy ff!
Thanks Mandi! I find I’ve gotten very into different types of dressing recently because I never realized how easy it is to whip up a dressing once you have the basic ratios down. Thanks for stopping by!
Such a beautiful and delicious salad.
Thank you! 🙂
The salad is beautiful! I love kale and it has just come in to season here. The dressing sounds great with the orange, ginger and soy, mmm 🙂
Thanks Petra! Hope you enjoy the Kale season and give the recipe a try!
I’m right with you as far as spending money on food versus self-decoration. I’m so boring when it comes to accessories! I love this dish and the dressing sounds like a favorite recipe of mine.
Reading all these comments makes me feel less ashamed of not caring too much about jewelry hehehe…thanks for agreeing and for stopping by! I hope you give this recipe a shot.
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