Serves 4

Popularly regarded as a superfood, Kale is known for its crunchy, leafy, & cruciferous quality. Nan’s Lala Garlic Vinaigrette lends its robust and wholesome flavor to the classic pairing of a crisp apple and sharp cheddar cheese to round out this hearty salad. To top this dish off with some crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts as the finishing touch. Rest assured you are dressing your salad with the highest quality ingredients. 

Jump to the recipe

Cold winter months leave us craving a lot of things: hot chocolate, cozy fireplaces, scarves—but what about…salad? 

While summer salads are cherished for their refreshing and light flavors, winter salads are hardy, nourishing, and full of creative flavors that make the best of produce availability during chillier months. In fact, between their nutrient-dense ingredients and the change of pace they offer from holiday treats, a good winter salad can keep you feeling healthy and happy while waiting for the return of summer months. 

This winter kale salad recipe was (and still is) a staple at our family holiday gatherings, pairing well with everything from mashed potatoes to chicken breasts. There are only five ingredients, but each one of them plays an important role: 

• Kale: Kale is cold-hardy and grows year-round, making it easier to find in the grocery store during winter months. In fact, kale is also generally believed to be sweeter after it's bitten by a frost! In addition to flavor, kale is rich with vitamins A, B6, C, K, folate, fiber, carotenoids and manganese, and can boost your immune system during cold and flu season. For this recipe, you can use any type of kale (and there are many types). We recommend Lacinato Kale.

• Apple: Speaking of cold and flu season! They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away—why stop there? Keep flavor boredom away with a variety of tart, crisp apple flavors—more than one, if you want! Walnuts: Nutty, buttery, and slightly sweet, walnuts do more than add a hearty flavor to this salad. Walnuts are a nutritional triple threat, supporting heart health, brain health, and gut health with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. Walnuts are also a great source of magnesium, which the body uses to produce serotonin and can help keep seasonal depression at bay. 
• Sharp Cheddar: You may argue that cheese has no place as an ingredient in a healthy salad, and we could not disagree more. Cheese is a nutrient-dense dairy food rich in calcium and protein. More importantly, though, it adds flavor and makes winter salad feel rich, filling, and exciting.

• Nan's Lala Garlic Vinaigrette: The crown jewel of this winter kale salad is our flagship Garlic Vinaigrette.  Made from Nan's original recipe, certified all-organic ingredients, and single source extra virgin olive oil grown in the heartlands of California, this salad dressing adds a layer of exquisite and light garlic flavor that compliments and unites each ingredient. Fresh out? Grab some here. [[STORE PAGE LINK]]

Now, on to the recipe!

Ingredients

• 5 Oz Kale Leaves (any variety)
• 1 Large Apple (any variety) 
• 1 Cup Walnuts 
• 1 Cup (4 oz) Sharp Cheddar 
• ¼ Cup Nan’s Lala Garlic Vinaigrette

Preparation

1. Wash and dry all produce. 
2. Remove kale leaves from their stems. Using your hands, tear into smaller, bite-sized pieces. 
3. Assemble kale in the base of your serving dish. Pour ⅔ of Nan’s Lala Garlic Vinaigrette over the kale to start, & add the rest if you wish.
4. Dice your apple into chunks or slice into thin half moon slices. Arrange the apple pieces atop the kale.
5. Coarsely chop your walnuts. Scatter them over the salad.
6. Cube or coarsely grate the cheddar cheese. Liberally sprinkle over salad. 
7. Season with additional salt and pepper, serve immediately. 

Tips

To ensure your kale brings the crunch, dry well. If you have a salad spinner in your kitchen, giving your kale a whirl in that can’t hurt. If you have some lemon juice and a little extra time, you can soften the kale by sprinkling it with juice from half a lemon and massaging it gently for several minutes. 

While this salad is delicious on its own, feel free to add an extra protein source; organic grilled chicken breast, wild-caught salmon filet, or crisped tofu.

Feeling adventurous? You can make this winter kale salad your own by adding any number of additional ingredients. Here are just a few ideas:

• Add another layer of tartness with pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries.
• Swap the cheddar cheese for a more mature cheese flavor like feta cheese or goat cheese. 
• Pack your recipe with even more nutrients by adding cubed butternut squash or sweet potato (these will need to be roasted in the oven first!)
• Load up on nutty flavor by adding dried sunflower seeds, pine nuts, toasted pecans, or shredded almonds. 
• Have a bold and visually exciting base to your salad by using a mix of tuscan kale, curly kale, and Russian red kale. 

As you can see, it's impossible to go wrong with kale salad. Try it this winter and be sure to let us know what you think!