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So when it comes to recipes you see on this blog, keep in mind a few things… 1) I usually find the original somewhere on Pinterest, try it, and then make it my own, 2) you will find cooking dishes much more than baking dishes because of point number 3, which is... 3) I RARELY measure…which I realize makes it hard for others to replicate, which I am working on, I swear! As you likely know baking is such an exact science that requires exact measurements...blah! I like to be more relaxed and throw a bit of this and bit of that, and cross my fingers for a tasty final product. I do promise to only show yummy, family approved recipes with you and ill do my best to get my measurements right ;-).
On to the recipe...
We are super blessed to have great friends that we get together with often and with that comes FOOD and eating. We typically always go potluck style and try to bring new and exciting dishes. Naturally, Jeff and I being the “healthy types” most of the time, we try to make new healthy dishes, that even “NON Healthy” types would enjoy. I’m not sure where my terminology is coming from, but you get the point. One of the crowd favorites when I bring a salad, is a take on a Kale and Quinoa salad. Our friends have made this too and it turned out awesome. I remember missing this dish so much while I was pregnant because it contained Feta Cheese (which is a soft cheese that can put a pregnant woman at risk for listeria – boo!!). So, who loves kale, I know I do! It has been a “trendy” food for the last few years with entire Instagram pages and websites (with t-shirts and mugs) dedicated to its AWESOMENESS!!! I must imagine that kale, is all the rage for several different reasons…
Kale is low in calories, high in fiber and has zero fat
Kale is high in iron, Vitamin K, and Vitamin A
Kale is super colorful, doesn’t wilt easily and mixes with just about anything!
Kale is great for cardiovascular support
Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food
Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants
With all that being said, I know that not everyone is as, shall I say, “jazzed” about kale as I am…so this recipe is a wonderful way to try it out. It is tender and savory, with a hit of sweetness which makes for an excellent salad!
Give it a try and let me know what you think!!!
Ingredients –
1 cup quinoa (rinsed and drained)
½ cup dried cranberries
Olive oil
¼ purple onion thinly sliced
1 bag of kale (washed thoroughly)
Salt and Pepper to taste
½ Cup reduced fat feta cheese
¼ Cup slivered almonds
Lemon juice
Directions –
1) Cook quinoa according to package (I add a touch of olive oil and salt to the water prior to cooking). Once cooked, add cranberries, stir and set aside.
2) Over medium-high heat, heat up a drizzle of olive oil and sauté onion, until soft. Add kale and cook for 5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
3) Add the kale and onions to the quinoa and cranberries, toss with feta and almonds. Double check your salt and pepper and add more if necessary. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice toss and serve!
This week I made this as apart of my meal prep and have it packed up and paired with chicken for my lunches!! Delicious and nutritious!!
