| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 27g | 3g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 12g | 5g | 10g | 0.03g |
Why I Love Swedish Kale Salad with Oranges and Walnuts
Every now and then, I stumble upon a recipe that sings to my experimental palate, justification for my ceaseless culinary exploration. The Kale Salad with Oranges and Walnuts, a Swedish cuisine gem, is one of those stirring discoveries. Elegantly embodying simplicity and nutritional balance, this dish brings the warmth of Scandinavian hospitality to any dining table.
An Ode to Simplicity and Balance
My Irish grandparents often told me the best recipes combine a few key ingredients in perfect harmony. True to this philosophy, the Kale Salad with Oranges and Walnuts combines the earthy flavors of kale and walnut, the zest of oranges, and the sweet-sour notes of honey-mustard dressing. The result is an mouthwatering concoction that brings out the best in every participant, not unlike the harmonious Irish melodies my grandparents loved.
The Inspiration Behind the Flavors
Whenever I create a salad, I’m always reminded of my favorite chef and salad connoisseur, Jamie Oliver. His approach to exploring the versatility of vegetables, fruits and nuts as salad fixtures has always been an inspiration. From his culinary art, I got the idea of using a simple ingredient like kale to be the star of this hearty, Swedish salad.
The playfulness of the citrusy freshness from oranges and the crunchy, nutty goodness of walnuts reminds me of Fall, my favorite season in New England. It’s this nostalgic connection that led me to perfecting this versatile dish that Jamie so artfully inspired.
On the Dining Table
Pair the Kale Salad with Oranges and Walnuts with robust, smoky dishes like the mouth-watering Pulled Pork Sandwiches or even a simple pan-roasted salmon. There’s a certain magic when you combine these rustic, homely dishes with this effervescent salad, making every bite a harmonious celebration of taste. I imagine my son growing up, savoring his father’s kale salad with oranges and walnuts next to a warming dish of Laura’s favorite clam chowder.
Dissimilar to the warmth of the Boston coast, the dish evokes the serenity of a Swedish winter spreading out its white carpet. With every bite, you can taste the blend of my family’s love for comfort food and the freshness of Scandinavian cooking. A little piece of my heart and heritage nestled among the leaves of wholesome kale!
What You’ll Need
- 1 large bunch of kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 2 medium oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1 cup of walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
First, place the chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Set this aside for the time being.
Step Two
Next, in a small frying pan, toast the roughly chopped walnuts over medium heat until they are slightly browned and fragrant. This should take about 5 minutes. Once they’re done, remove them from the heat
Step Three
Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set this aside.
Step Four
Once that’s done, add the peeled and segmented oranges and the toasted walnuts to the salad bowl with the kale.
Step Five
Then, drizzle the dressing over the kale, oranges, and walnuts. Toss the salad well to ensure everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
Step Six
Last, let the salad sit for about 15 minutes before serving. This is to allow the kale to soften a bit and the flavours to meld together. Enjoy your Kale Salad with Oranges and Walnuts!
