Kale Salad with Roasted Greens and Crispy Lentils

I really like my easy kale salad, however after I need a tremendous satisfying salad, I really like making this Kale Salad with Roasted Greens and Crispy Lentils. It’s the good fall and winter salad.

The kale types the hearty, nutrient-packed base of the salad. The roasted greens deliver heat and depth to the salad. I like to make use of butternut squash and Brussels sprouts (however any roasted greens can be good). Roasting them brings out their pure sweetness and provides a caramelized, barely smoky taste.

For a protein enhance, I add crispy lentils. They’re a key component on this salad, providing a satisfying crunch. To realize crispiness, cooked lentils (inexperienced or brown) are roasted within the oven till golden and crispy. Their texture contrasts superbly with the tender kale and the delicate roasted greens.

The salad additionally has juicy dried cranberries, creamy feta cheese, sliced almonds, pink onion, and a maple balsamic dressing that ties the entire fall flavors collectively.

Every chew is a satisfying mixture of textures—crunchy, tender, and crispy—whereas the flavors are each savory and barely candy. This salad shouldn’t be solely scrumptious, but in addition a feast for the eyes with its mixture of vibrant colours and substances. Serve alongside facet any meal! Additionally it is a fantastic vegetarian facet dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Ingredient Notes

• Butternut Squash: You want 4 cups butternut squash cubes for this salad, which is one small butternut squash. Peel, minimize in half, take away the seeds, and chop into cubes. To save lots of time, you should purchase butternut squash cubes within the produce part. In case you don’t look after butternut squash, roasted candy potatoes would even be nice on this salad.
• Brussels Sprouts: Use a pointy knife to slice the sprouts into 1/4-inch items. Reducing them into slices will assist them roast shortly and also you need thinner sprouts for the salad.
• Lentils: To save lots of time, I exploit canned French lentils (inexperienced or brown). Rinse and drain nicely earlier than utilizing. If you wish to cook dinner your individual lentils, you’ll be able to. I don’t advocate pink lentils, they get too mushy.
• Kale: I really like utilizing hearty kale for this salad, however any greens will work!
• Cheese: I like so as to add creamy feta cheese or goat cheese, however if you happen to want the salad to be vegan or dairy-free, you’ll be able to go away the cheese out.

How one can Make the Kale Salad

• Preheat oven to 425 levels F.
• Place the butternut squash cubes on a big baking sheet. Place the sliced brussels sprouts on a second baking sheet and at last, place the lentils on a 3rd baking sheet.
• Drizzle the butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and lentils with 1 tablespoon of olive oil every. Sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over the lentils. Season all three pans with salt and pepper. Toss till veggies and lentils are nicely coated.
• Place all three pans within the oven and roast for 18 to 25 minutes, stirring midway, or till the veggies are tender and lentils are crispy. The lentils is likely to be performed a bit sooner so verify them first. Take away from oven.

• To make the dressing, in a small bowl or jar whisk collectively the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper.

• In a big bowl, mix the roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, lentils, kale, feta cheese, almonds or pepitas, dried cranberries, and pink onion.

• Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss till nicely coated.
• Serve and luxuriate in each single chew! The flavors and textures are SO good!

How one can Retailer

• In case you’ve already dressed and tossed the salad, retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days.
• If you wish to make the salad upfront (it’s a fantastic meal-prep salad), I like to recommend storing the elements individually to protect the feel and taste. Let the roasted greens and crispy lentils cool fully. Retailer in separate hermetic containers and retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
• Retailer chopped kale in a container or bag for as much as 4 days.
• You may make the dressing upfront. Whisk collectively and retailer in a jar or hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 7 days. Whisk earlier than utilizing.
• Whenever you’re able to eat, mix the kale, roasted greens, dressing, and different substances. Toss them collectively simply earlier than serving to maintain the salad crisp.

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Salads

Kale Salad with Roasted Greens & Crispy Lentils

Hearty kale, roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, crispy lentils, dried cranberries, feta cheese, sliced almonds, and pink onion are tossed in a maple balsamic dressing! The proper salad for fall, winter, and Thanksgiving!

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For the salad:

• 4 cups butternut squash cubes
• 1 lb brussels sprouts, trimmed and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 15 ounce can French lentils, rinsed, drained, and patted dry with towel
• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to style
• 4 cups finely chopped kale
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds or pepitas
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced pink onion

For the Maple Balsamic Dressing:

• Preheat oven to 425 levels F.

• Place the butternut squash cubes on a big baking sheet. Place the sliced brussels sprouts on a second baking sheet and at last, place the lentils on a 3rd baking sheet.

• Drizzle the butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and lentils with 1 tablespoon of olive oil every. Sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over the lentils. Season all three pans with salt and pepper. Toss till veggies and lentils are nicely coated.

• Place all three pans within the oven and roast for 15 to 25 minutes, stirring midway, or till the veggies are tender and lentils are crispy. The lentils is likely to be performed a bit sooner so verify them first. Take away from oven.

• To make the dressing, in a small bowl or jar whisk collectively the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper.

• In a big bowl, mix the roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, lentils, kale, feta cheese, almonds or pepitas, dried cranberries, and pink onion.

• Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss till nicely coated. Serve.

Energy: 387kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 20g, Fats: 15g, Saturated Fats: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 10g, Trans Fats: 0.001g, Ldl cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 142mg, Potassium: 564mg, Fiber: 21g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 8958IU, Vitamin C: 76mg, Calcium: 181mg, Iron: 6mg

Key phrases brussels sprouts, butternut squash, kale, lentil

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