Let’s talk about wild rice and kale salad.
Because I promised to share my latest salad recipe when I talked about salad group a couple weeks ago. It’s one that needs to be shared, and kept here on the blog, because it’s good!
It’s a copycat of Cubby’s wild rice and kale salad and my sister Saydi shared it with me. Thanks Sayds!
Ok so here we go:
Wild Rice & Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 c. chopped kale
- 1/2 c. grilled chicken, chopped up small (optional)
- 1/4 c. toasted almonds
- 1/4 c. diced apples
- 1/3 c. wild rice (optional)
- 1/3 c. chopped avocado (You can do less, but I love avocado!)
- 1/4 c. crumbled feta (You can substitute goat or blue cheese, or fresh mozzarella)
- 2 Tbs. balsamic cilantro dressing (recipe below
Notes
Here are the ingredients, minus the wild rice which I didn’t have on hand. Still SO good with less carbs if you’re counting those things…
The Dressing
And here are the ingredients for the very tasty dressing:
Balsamic Cilantro Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbs. dijon mustard
- 1 Tbs. maple syrup or honey
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 bunch cilantro
Chicken marinade cheater-tip:
Did you know that marinating chicken with Olive Garden Italian dressing creates some pretty delicious results??
The Final Result
Here it is all mixed together with the dressing:
Yum!!
Salad Group Prep
Just because these pics are kind of fun too, when I put it together for the 15 people in our salad group:
If anyone knows a great way to get kale without those thick stalks let me know…these Trader Joes chopped bags still have a whole lotta stalks.
Yum again.
Enjoy.
I’m off to maybe make some more with Claire. Who is sitting right by my side right now. And I can’t even believe that is true. Best thing ever.
That looks amazing. And thanks for the salad dressing recipe too. I’ve been trying to find a good one for my salad.
I don’t know that they sell it without stalks, but have you tried a kale stripper? Those things can make quick work of kale and other greens, including herbs. I don’t know if we can add links but we love the “chef’n kale and greens stripper” for under $10. There are other varieties too in case you prefer a different style. While I was looking up the name I came across a beautiful handmade herb stripper and catcher from Australia of all places! Again can’t add the link but it’s by BuxtonPotteryAU on Etsy in case you don’t have enough Australian goodies in your house as of late 😂
Oh I’ll have to look into these!! Thank you!
xoxo
Why not just use lettuce?
Oh you could, but kale is sooo good! There’s something about it’s tough, almost nutty flavor that goes so well with this salad!
xoxo
I tried this and my 2 year old and 4 year old gobbled it up! And then the next day, I scrambled it up in a couple eggs and served it to them for breakfast and my 4 year old asked if I could “make this every morning, mama!” So thank you, Shawni – big win all around! 🙂
Oh I’m so glad you guys liked it! And great idea for breakfast!
xoxo