Orange Tahini Dressing and Kale Citrus Salad
January 15, 2013 There is no denying my adoration for kale. The deep green color. The crisp crunch after it roasts in the oven. The way it tenderizes after being massaged with dressing. This nutrient dense veggie is definitely one of my favorites and for some reason I’m crazier about it now more than ever before.
Kale everyday!
Cliché? Whatever. I can’t help it.
Is it weird that I think about fruit and the seasons so frequently? How strawberries are perfect in the spring and early summer and how it would seem strange to eat grapefruit in July. How apples and pears just scream fall and don’t seem appropriate during the hot summer months. The bright juiciness of citrus fruits in the winter makes everything okay when it’s dark by 4pm, snowy, and cold. Fruit and the seasons correlate so well. Don’t you think?
I told you the citrus recipes weren’t over. They probably won’t be over for awhile.
This dressing is tangy and smooth, bright and sweet.
The tahini and orange balance each other while the maple syrup adds a bit of sweetness. The dressing along with the other salad toppings are a great contrast to the hearty kale.
Citrus and kale are like a sickness roundhouse kick to the face. They seem like the ultimate combination for this time of year.
Refreshing and satiating, too!
Orange Tahini Dressing and Kale Citrus Salad [serves 2 large or 4 side salads]
for the dressing:
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon tahini
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- salt + pepper to taste
for the salad:
- 1 head lacinato/dinosaur kale
- 1 ruby red grapefruit, peeled + sliced
- 1 apple, chopped
- toasted + salted pepitas
- Place all dressing ingredients in a bowl, starting with 2 tablespoons of orange juice, and vigorously whisk until fully combined. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then taste and add more if desired. Dressing will thicken a bit as it sits. Add more orange juice to thin out if needed. Ingredients can also be blended in a blender.
- Remove the stems from the kale, chop well, then wash and pat dry. Place in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing overtop of the kale and massage into the greens with your hands. Add more dressing as needed.
- Add the grapefruit, apple, and pepitas.
- Serve immediately.
*To toast raw pepitas: Place 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan over med-low. Once hot, add 1/2 cup raw pepitas to the pan with a few pinches of salt and/or pepper. Toast for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until puffed up and golden brown. Remove from heat then let cool and store in a sealed container.
Are you crushing on citrus and kale right now? I’ve got it bad over here.
Ashley
The winner from the LGF Hot Oats giveaway was announced Monday on Facebook, but I wanted to share here as well. Aimee from Amazing in Motion was the winner. Congrats, Aimee!
Reader Comments (27)
Any tips for cutting grapefruits so beautifully?
I am addicted to kale! This looks delicious. The citrus fruits have been just incredible this year.
I also nominated you for an award. Check it out here:
http://mouthwateringfoods.blogspot.com/2013/01/inspiring-blog-award.html
@Herbivore - Curly kale will totally work. I love it in salads but I know a lot of people prefer the tenderness of lacinato kale for salads.
@Aimee - You're so welcome!
@Adrienne - Hope you enjoy it. :)
@Ruta - Thank you so much for the kind words about my photography and also thank you for the award! Much appreciated!
@Amy - I know what you mean about tahini. It has taken some getting used to, but I still don't really enjoy it on it's own. Salt definitely helps and sometimes I'll put it over a sweet potato with salt and pepper. I've really started enjoying it in my everyday dressings. Roasted will definitely have a better flavor, in my opinion. Raw will retain more of the bitterness. This is the brand I buy: http://onceagainnutbutter.com/ -- I don't love it like almond or peanut butter, but it's my favorite in dressings. I understand what you mean though...one "butter" I can't warm up to is sunflower seed butter, even though I adore sunflower seeds. Maybe the maple syrup and orange flavors will help ease you into it! :) The dressing combo you made sounds delicious!
Thank you so much for sharing it!