Wow, seriously, could this title be longer?
I’ve never quite named a salad on this blog so obnoxiously, but it’s totally worth it, because every component of this salad makes it so good.Â
You gotta give each ingredient its 15 minutes of fame, you know?
This salad is a kale base- something most people dislike on principle. This includes my parents. But I’ve heard that this salad was so good, that now my dad won’t eat other kale salads, because the bar has been raised. So there’s a testimonial for ya.
The kale is marinated in a simple balsamic dressing to soften it up and then tossed with tart green apples, acidic fennel, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts. Basically all your fall staples in a bowl.
Now if when you make this salad, make sure your apples are awesome ones. Super crisp, juicy, and full of flavor. Like, go pick apples and make this salad, because they are the star of the dish.
Some people call this time of year late summer, but for me it’s firmly fall. Even if my dorm with no AC is kinda killer right now. It’s fall, okay?!?! It’s September.
But if you’re experiencing some seasonal confusion, this salad is totally the perfect in between: light enough for an end of summer meal, but still celebrating the produce of fall. Enjoy! xx
- 4 cups chopped kale, rinsed thoroughly
- ½ cup shaved fennel bulb
- 1 green apple, sliced
- ½ cup walnut halves or pieces
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- juice of one large lemon
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ to ⅓ cup olive oil
- Using a large knife, chop your kale into even smaller pieces and place into a large bowl with fennel.
- Combine all dressing ingredients together and pour over kale and fennel.
- Using your hands or a fork, massage kale salad and set aside for 5-10 minutes while you prep your other ingredients.
- Add apple, walnuts, and cranberries and toss gently.
- Transfer salad to serving bowl; you will have some balsamic dressing in the original bowl, do not transfer this.
- Serve!
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Nadia's Healthy Kitchen says
Looks so delicious and light Medha, perfect for a sunny day like today 🙂
Medha says
Thanks, Nadia!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
Haha! But at least the title explains exactly what this salad is all about. I love this! I have never tried fennel, but I guess it’s not too late 🙂
Medha says
Thanks, Cathleen! It’s delicious 🙂
Sues says
I both hate and love when every component of a dish is SO important that it has to go in the title. I can totally see what you mean with this one!
Medha says
Thanks, Sues!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Kale and apple go so well together, don’t they. I love that you have added cranberries to this too.
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Medha, haha yes! gotta give each ingredient its 15 minutes of fame!!! and so happy your parents are kale converts now! it’s all about massaging that kale, yo! love this salad!!!! beautiful!
Medha says
Thank you!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Lovelovelove that you added the apples and fennel to this salad!! I ALWAYS forget about fennel, and it’s such a tasty little addition to so many things. I’m thinking this is gonna have to be lunch today!
Medha says
Fennel just adds brightness! Let me know if you do try it!
Joanne says
You don’t have to convince me on the awesomeness of this! I am ALL about kale salad love…especially when these fabulous fall flavors are involved!
Medha says
Thank you!
Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says
The only time I have really had kale was in drinks (I failed at using it as food before), so I am excited to try this recipe and fall in love with eating kale – definitely need to pin this!
Medha says
LMK if you try it and thanks for the pin!
Julia says
I’m experiencing allll the seasonal confusion. On the one hand, I want pumpkin everything, but on the other hand, I still crave uuuuuge fresh salads. Love this autumn salad! Those cranberries and walnuts are perfection!
Medha says
Right?! Thanks!
Danielle says
Sometimes it’s hard to narrow down a recipe name, but there’s nothing wrong with this one! This salad looks so delicious and perfect for fall too.
Medha says
Thanks, Danielle!
Mir says
Are you doing the photography from your dorm now? How are you doing that?! It looks great!
This salad’s long title is totally worthy of its fabulousness. Love the apples!
Medha says
Nope! All the posts were queued up over the summer 🙂 Thanks!
Cailee says
Well doesn’t this look lovely?! This is the perf late summer salad!! I just love it! Light and refreshing… but still adding some ‘fall foods’ (i.e. walnuts and apples) into the mix! Great recipe girl! Thanks for sharing!
Medha says
Thank you!
Erin@WellPlated says
Long name or no, I wouldn’t leave a single one of these ingredients out. They are just too perfect together!
Medha says
Totally 🙂
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Ah fruity and fresh – looks lovely! I’ve always wondered what to do with kale – problem solved!
Medha says
Thanks, Jessica!
mira says
Love this salad and love the name! So good! Can’t wait to try it! Pinned!
Medha says
Thanks for pinning!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Ohhh I love a good kale salad and this one looks perfect for fall!
Medha says
Thanks, Sarah!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
This salad is gorgeous! I am so excited about all the fall flavors!
Medha says
Thanks, Ashley!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
apple is awesome with walnuts! love this salad Medha 🙂
Medha says
Thank you!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Haha I always have trouble with post names too 🙂 So happy you included everything, this salad has everything I love!
Medha says
Thanks, Kelly!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This salad looks delicious, Medha! Love the the mix of autumn flavour! Really like the idea of tossing the kale in balsamic! Sounds great! 😀
Medha says
Thanks, Jess!
GiGi Eats says
Well this is certainly and easy and tasty way to get the KALE into your diet! 😉
Medha says
Right?! Thanks!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Ha ha that’s how I name my recipes…long but every ingredient gets its glory 😉 Looks delicious, loving all of those flavors in there!
Medha says
Thank you!
Mike@TheIronYou says
Healthy, light, and delicious this is my kind of salad. Great job M!
Medha says
Thanks, Mike!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
What a great fall salad. I love the combination of flavors. 🙂
Medha says
Thanks!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I love autumn salads! This one looks amazing. Love the fruits and nuts. 🙂
Medha says
Thank you!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
I LOVE simple salads like this! All these flavors are perfect together!
Medha says
Thanks, Mariah!
Monica says
This looks lovely! I’ve come to really enjoy tart apples in my salad and the walnuts round this out wonderfully.
Medha says
Thank you!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
Love all the textures here, I always add walnuts to my salad, so filling and also I love the soft crunchy.
Medha says
So much protein 🙂
Amanda says
I love all the flavors in this salad. And I like how you use kale. Kale needs more love. 😀 You have me craving salad, which is pretty much a miracle.
Medha says
Kale is the best- and yay!
Beth says
A kale salad sounds soo good right now!
Medha says
🙂
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
What a gorgeous salad and great idea!! This would be perfect for my lunch today! 😉
Medha says
Thanks!
Ashley says
haha sometimes you just gotta go for the long recipe title!! And this salad looks fantastic – so many great colors too!
Medha says
Thanks!
Marcie says
It is fall in September! It just doesn’t seem like summer anymore despite the heat. This salad deserves its long title because all of those ingredients are a major part of it — and I love everything in here! Kale salads are my fave. 😃
Medha says
Thanks, Marcie!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
This kale salad is everything!!
Medha says
Thank you 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Hahaha! I’m totally THAT girl that names her salad something long and obnoxious! #Oops. But I hear you, sometimes you just CAN’T leave out each element… like it just feels so wrong! 🙂 Anyways, this salad looks fantastic! I love kale and apples together, but this salad takes that love to a whole new yum! Cheers to a fabulous weekend!
Medha says
Thank you!
annie@ciaochowbambina.com says
I can think of nothing better than having all my fall staples in one bowl! This is awesome, Medha!!
Medha says
Thanks!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Love the title – it perfectly describes this amazing dish! I was actually thinking this would be great as a salad on our Thanksgiving table. Hope you have a great weekend!
Medha says
You, too! Thanks!