Kale Salad with Butternut Squash, Quinoa and Hazelnuts
We just got back from a quick but cold trip to Chicago for a friend's wedding. It was a whirlwind weekend of fun and needless to say, I think I need another weekend to recover. Especially from the cold. I have truly become a softy when it comes to weather. I lived in Boston and NY but forgot how to deal with cold weather. I also forgot that when the weather is cold you are inside all day, eating and drinking. All of this is to say I need a serious detox this week. This kale salad with butternut squash, quinoa and hazelnuts is the perfect recipe to get me back on track.
Do you ever have a recipe or dish that you make over and over again for a short time period? This is that kind of recipe to me. Since we are in the winter months - butternut squash is abundant and kale is everywhere so this delicious and seasonal recipe is perfect for this time of year. I have made it many times over the past couple weeks and even served it over the holidays. I recently posted a picture to Instagram with this salad and got a couple emails asking what was in it, so I thought I would share.
So here is my got to salad these days, a kale salad with butternut squash, quinoa and hazelnuts. Easy, healthy and perfectly delicious.
Enjoy
p.s. Two tips for this salad - cut the kale really thin to make it easier to eat and dress the salad about 20 minutes before serving. This helps season the kale and also make it easier to eat.
Kale Salad with Butternut Squash, Quinoa and Hazelnuts
Ingredients:
- 1 head lacinato kale, leaves stripped and thinly chopped
- 1 cup butternut squash diced and sautéed until soft
- 1/2 cup quinoa, cooked
- 3 oz goat cheese
- 1/3 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts toasted, skins removed and roughly chopped
- 1/2 olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Large pinch salt
Method:
Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well. Pour half of the dressing over the kale mixture. Toss well and add remaining if needed. Taste for salt