Citrus Kale Salad

I’m always looking for fresh, bright side salads to serve during the summer especially ones that can be made in advance and hold up well to having dressing on them.  Kale is a wonderful green, leafy veggie that stands up to being “pre-dressed”.  This Citrusy Kale Salad is just that kind of salad.

When I was in college (a long time ago), I worked in my dorm cafeteria.  I remember how beautiful the salad bar was after I finished setting it up.  All the containers with everything from beats to carrots to jalapenos to potato salad and a giant bowl of lettuce in the middle.  Surrounding all of that was a thick layer of crushed ice to keep everything cold and over the ice was a decorative layer of thick, green leaves that sat pretty and fresh for hours.  Little did I know back then that I would be eating that same leafy green today…curly leaf kale.  No longer salad bar décor, but a super food.

I’ve been using kale to add nutrition to soups and stews for a few years and have recently seen it pop up in salads at some of the local markets and restaurants and not just a small amount of kale, but entire salads made with kale.

Citrusy Kale Salad is delicious the way that it is but if you feel like adding avocado or bacon or a crumbly cheese, go ahead.  The dressing can be doubled too if you prefer more dressing on your salad.