Baby Kale and Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

This is a recipe for a super healthy Kale and Apple Salad topped with a sweet and tangy cider dressing. The combination of textures and flavors work perfectly. This is a beautiful side dish salad that will easily pair with about any Fall entree you’re serving. It’s a recipe inspired by Next Door Eatery in Highlands Ranch.

Next Door Eatery has opened its doors in Central Park here in Highlands Ranch and last month I was invited to attend the grand opening. We were treated to guacamole and chips, tomato soup, house made hummus and Cuban sandwiches. Delicious!

Next Door is a breath of fresh air for our community, not only bringing a downtown vibe to the suburbs, but also healthy, unprocessed food with clean ingredients. Sustainable yet affordable.

Next Door has graciously shared this beautiful Kale and Apple Salad recipe with me. It’s just one example of the clever and wholesome items you can order at the restaurant.

This recipe combines ingredients and textures that work beautifully together. The tart crunch of Granny Smith Apples, the mild and slightly peppery flavor of baby kale, and the creamy cheese are a perfect base for the tart sweet vinaigrette. The cheese used in this salad is local feta, from Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy in Buena Vista, CO.

It was a pleasure to learn about tender baby kale, and for this salad to be successful, it is a necessity. I’ve only cooked with the tougher mature variety, which can prove to be a bit ornery to tame. Both are nutritious powerhouses, but the smaller leaves of baby kale are much more delicate than mature kale. And both the small stems and leaves of baby kale are edible. It features a more delicate flavor than the grown up variety. Baby kale is available for purchase at my local King Soopers.

This photo of the the Kale and Apple Salad was provided to me by Next Door Eatery. Alongside one of their specialty drinks, Orange Fashioned, which is orange infused bourbon, bitters and sugar. A double good reason to give Next Door a try.

Recipe for Kale and Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette:

I hope you give this Kale and Apple Salad recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating.

And I also hope you give Next Door Eatery a try. It’s a special place, and a unique venue for Highlands Ranch.

Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes. And if you have a favorite easy kale salad recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.

If you’re looking for more kale salad recipe ideas, you won’t want to miss this one for Wilted Kale Salad with Shrimp and Avocado.

5 from 1 vote

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Baby Kale and Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Prep Time

10 mins

 

The combination of textures and flavors work great with each other. This is a beautiful side dish salad that will easily pair with about any Fall entree you're serving.

Course: Side Dish Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Kale and Apple Salad

Servings: 4

Calories: 501 kcal

Author: Lea Ann, Cooking On The Ranch

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic pressed through a garlic press or fine diced.
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cups baby kale
• 1 tablespoon fresh whole leaf parsley fine chopped
• for the dressing
• 4 tablespoons Apple cider or apple juice
• 4 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoon honey
• fresh ground pepper to taste
• 2 granny smith apples cut in slices
• 1/8 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. Sprinkle the chopped garlic into your salad bowl. Rub the garlic into the bottom and sided of bowl. Add the olive oil to the bowl.

2. Wash greens well and dry. Place the kale and parsley into the bowl on top of the oil and mix until all leaves are coated with the oil.

3. Pour the apple juice and vinegar in a bowl, add the salt and several generous turns of black pepper, add honey and stir until the salt dissolves. Shake or whisk to recombine.

4. Pour this mixture over the greens and toss until combined.

5. Add apple slices. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds and feta. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Baby Kale and Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Amount Per Serving

Calories 501 Calories from Fat 405

% Daily Value*

Fat 45g69%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 709mg31%

Potassium 397mg11%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 5195IU104%

Vitamin C 66.1mg80%

Calcium 130mg13%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.