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A new restaurant opened recently, fairly close to our home. It's too far to walk, but it's right on the way to Costco and Trader Jo's, both of which we tend to be frequent-flyers at.
The cute little café serves super-fresh, farm-to-table, salads, soups and other delicious entrees. Most everything is made with local ingredients, which we love to support. Scott and I ate lunch there a few weeks ago, and had the BEST salad. The only problem was...
they were a little stingy with some of the ingredients. I found just a few chunks of avocado and not even as many tiny pieces of the delicious smokey bacon. But I loved the combination of healthy, fresh ingredients and decided to go home and try to reinvent the wonderful salad.
My first attempt was "not quite there" but my chief taste-tester, (Scott) and I tossed ideas around about what needed to be modified/changed. I tinkered with it and then served it again the following day. It was perfect, and had lots of all the super great ingredients that were in the original salad. Yipee! I was pumped!
Just to make sure it was as good as I thought, (and blog-worthy) I served it to my son Nick and his wife, Lindsay, one evening last week. They loved it, and were super happy when I gave them the leftovers for their lunch the next day. They both shared that the salad was just as good the second day! I love dishes like this; that you can make ahead and enjoy them for another day or two.
If you're not familiar with quinoa (pronounced, KEEN-wah), it's regarded as a super food; it's gluten-free, a complete protein and loaded with fiber, iron and antioxidants. Quinoa is often called an "ancient grain" and it's purported to have been around for 3,000 to 4,000 years! A staple in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru for thousands of years, it was also a mainstay for the Inca Indians. Quinoa has gained popularity and respect in the United States over the past ten years, as people have discovered how nutrient-rich, versatile and delicious it is.
Pick up some quinoa, a few crunchy red apples and a some good smokey bacon next time you're at the market. Oh, and while you're at it, throw a few avocados, a bag of kale and a jar of roasted, salted sunflower seeds in your basket too.
You probably have everything else you need right in your pantry to make this delicious Quinoa and Kale Salad with Avocados, Apples and Bacon. You'll be all set to create a fabulous lunch or dinner; and hear lots of rave reviews!
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- For the dressing:
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 medium cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the salad:
- 3 cups cooked quinoa*
- 8 cups fairly fine chopped kale
- 2 medium red crisp apples diced in ½ inch pieces
- 2 medium avocados diced in ½ inch pieces
- 6-8 strips good smokey bacon (I like applewood-smoked), cut in ½ inch pieces, cooked until crisp and drained on paper towels
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
-
Combine red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously. Set aside.
-
Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl, reserving a small amount of the apples, avocados, dried cranberries and sunflower seeds for the top. Add ¼ cup of the dressing and gently toss. Sprinkle the reserved ingredients over the top. Pass extra dressing at the table.
* I use this method for making perfect quinoa . Just for your information, 1 cups uncooked quinoa will yield 3 cups cooked quinoa. I love to cook a pot of quinoa on the weekends and then use it for salads, in oatmeal and for sides all week long.
Amy says
Wow! This salad is AMAZING! Will be a new staple at our house! Was thinking it'd even be good with some grilled chicken in it as well if you wanted to serve it as a Main dish! THanks for sharing!
Chris Scheuer says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Amy!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love this salad, Chris! Craving a big bowl for lunch!
Beverley says
your recipes are so new and fresh made with ingredients we all need a recipe for. Thank you this is going to be a new favorite of mine.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Gorgeous kale and avo salad, Chris! I'm loving the crunchy red apples, smokey bacon and sunflower seed combination, too! Thanks so much for sharing, my friend. Pinning (of course)! Meanwhile, I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend! xo
Kim says
Will definitly try this super salad!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Now that's a salad to be proud of. We have Costco in Australia now and there's one close enough for me to drive 45 minutes to get to but Trader Jo's? I've never crossed the threshold and I think I must be missing something.
I love apple in a salad and all those other goodies have me keen to get into the kitchen.
Betty says
I'd love to take this for my lunch every day! Love all of the flavors. 🙂
Sandy M says
You are the queen of reinventing recipes & I haven't had a fail with one of yours yet! I can't wait to try this one! I haven't had any gluten issues but just found out that one of my teen grands seems to, causing her to have headaches. So I'd love to fix her something that she can take in her lunch & she loves salads.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Sandy. Hope she enjoys this one!
Debra says
Another great salad recipe of yours that I am pinning, Chris. I love to recreate restaurant recipes too. Thanks for not being stingy with the bacon!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
WOW, I just love this super flavorful, healthy and super filling salad! YUM!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
This is a power salad, Chris. And I love all the flavours and beautiful colour.
Have a great weekend!
Angie
Sandra says
I love recreating restaurant meals at home also and this one looks very delicious and hearty.
Kimwithak says
This salad looks like a bowl of art...so pretty!!!
I'm definitely going to make this one!
tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Very nice Chris - I don't know if it is like the one you tried - but I would love to try this version! A little bacon is good for you every now and then - especially when tucked in between some greens! Have a great weekend!
Monique says
I could go for some right now..looks so fresh! And delish..Pretty bowl and servers too:)
Hate stingy in ingredients..
It's like a chocolate chip cookie with one chip.
Ginny Hartzler says
It is beautiful! AND I really love your beautiful bowl and salad fork set! They are gorgeous!! We love Trader Joes and Costco! We go to both places frequently. Costco has a new canned tuna that I want to try, Skipjack.
Leigh says
As luck would have it, there are 2 beautifully ripe avocados sitting on my counter right now. I just need to send a note to Scott to pick up kale on his way home and tonight's dinner practically makes itself. Thanks so much, Chris!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Beautiful Chris! Some of my favorite recipes have been inspired by restaurant meals - this one looks like a winner!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I am a huge fan of quinoa - and love all that you have going on in that bowl - from the apples to the raisins to the bacon to the avocado - mmm mmm mmm - totally delicious!!
spoon stories says
Qinoa is my new passion! So perfect for salad and more! This is a great recipe Chris! I saved it!