Cherry Apple Kale Salad

It’s Memorial day and while I would love to post a patriotic dish things this past week haven’t gone as planned and we are up at the cabin or coming back to head to a picnic with friends. If you want something quick, refreshing, and patriotic check out my Summer Strawberry Floats or Berry Smoothie Floats! So I’m pulling a recipe I created a while back and didn’t want to post as it didn’t photograph as well as planned but because it’s fresh and simple. Also now that cherries are in season I’m going to whip this up for the girls this week with fresh cherries! This is a great salad to enjoy tomorrow after you have all the delicious eats over this holiday weekend! I’ll be stuck with smoothies tomorrow and the next few days after going in to get my tooth I broke a couple days ago fixed. Hope you are all enjoying time with family and friends this weekend. This week’s Meatless Monday, with my co-host Deborah, is still below and I can’t wait to check them all out later tonight.

Food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious and healthy, and this is yet another salad that shows that and also proves that salads are not boring! A recently found a new kale salad at the Whole Foods salad bar she liked. Yes she loves the WFM salad bar for when I bring her lunch, or veggie sushi, or pretty much anything but she has a simple healthy tastes in food most of the time like her mama, but of course still loves her treats like me too. All I remember is it was a kale salad with dried cranberries or cherries, dried apples, and almonds. So we attempted to recreate it. It wasn’t the same because we had Bare Snacks apple chips that are crispy and not the chewy ones she thought were in it but we have those on hand and those are the ones S and I usually throw in salads, either will work I think it is just personal preference and what you have on hand. So we messaged the kale with a little olive oil, lemon juice, and optional honey or maple syrup. Than added in dried apple chips, dried cherries, and sliced almonds. If you wanted protein you can add in tofu or chicken or just keep it simple as is as a main salad or it can be served as a side. While I really like using fresh fruits in a salad this is a great option that will work anytime of year, is quick and uses stuff you can have on hand, and is great for when the fresh produce isn’t the best. It also packs well for lunches. Now that fresh cherries are in season we are going to try it with those!

Cherry Apple Kale Salad
Makes 2 main salad servings, or 4 side dish servings
10oz chopped kale
1/2c dried cherries
1c dried apples, chewy or crispy (used Bare Apple Chips, crispy not chewy)
1/4c raw sliced almonds
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
2 TBSP lemon juice, or juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp maple syrup or honey

In a large bowl mix olive oil, lemon juice, and honey/maple syrup together. Add in chopped kale with large stems removed and message the kale in with the dressing using your hands. Mix in apples chips, cherries, and almonds. Enjoy!
After all the picnic eats this Cherry Apple Kale Salad will hit the spot tomorrow! #MeatlessMonday @MeatlessMonday #vegan #wholefoods Share on X