Paleo Newbie

Kale & Spinach Paleo Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Lemon Vinaigrette

Trina
simple paleo salad featuring kale with added spinach, apples, cranberries and more.
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Do we have any kale lovers out there? If you’re all raising your hands right now, I’m in big trouble…

I know the health benefits of getting some kale in your paleo diet, but I have to confess it’s never been anywhere close to my favorite green. Believe me, I’ve wanted to like it – but I just couldn’t get past the green’s bitter taste.

Well if there are a few of you out there like me, I think I’ve found a very easy and tasty solution. And if you already love kale, I know you’re really going to like this paleo salad recipe!

I mixed spinach (love the Popeye greens!) with the kale, and then added a really nice lemon vinaigrette. And for good measure, I added some fresh fruit and carrots to this super-nutritious salad.

And…I loved it. Yes, I could still taste a little bitterness from the kale, but with all the other wonderful flavors going on, that didn’t bother me at all.

QUICK KALE FACTS:
    1. One cup of chopped kale contains more vitamin C than a medium-size orange
    2. A good source of healthy fats (alpha-linolenic acid)
    3. More vitamin A than any other leafy greens
    4. More calcium (gram for gram) than milk
    5. Super rich in antioxidants (especially vitamin K) and phytonutrients
    6. Too harsh of a flavor for you? Look for baby kale – it’s less bitter and more tender

To get some healthy protein in this dish too, I added a roasted and sliced chicken breast and drizzled a bit of the vinaigrette over it too for an awesome lemony chicken.

This salad was so good! I had it for dinner last night and again for lunch today. Believe it or not, kale might just turn out to be my new best friend. :)

This paleo recipe will serve about 2-3 people, but it may be one you’ll want to double up on so you’ll have enough salad to enjoy the next day too!

Try it paleo peeps!

Tip: If you’re making this kale and spinach paleo salad ahead of time, sprinkle a little lemon juice over the apple chunks to help keep them from turning brown.

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Kale & Spinach Paleo Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Lemon Vinaigrette

Easy paleo and gluten-free recipe for a healthy kale salad that softens the bitterness of kale by adding spinach, apples, cranberries, and a quick DIY lemon vinaigrette dressing
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword kale, salad, lemon vinaigrette, chicken, spinach, apples, cranberries
Servings 3 approx. servings
Author by Trina

Ingredients

Lemon Vinaigrette

  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp raw honey
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • salt & pepper, to taste

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups of fresh organic kale
  • 2 cups fresh organic spinach
  • 1 carrot peeled and shredded
  • 1 apple cored and chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried organic cranberries
  • Optional protein: roasted chicken meat, or any leftover or canned chicken

Yield

  • 2-3 Servings

Instructions

  • Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl and whisk
  • Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss
  • Add pre-cooked chicken meat, if desired
  • Drizzle all with lemon vinaigrette
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