Holiday Healthy Series: A Hearty Winter Salad, Is There Such A Thing?

The answer is a resounding, YES! I know that beginning of the holiday season and winter signals many of us to go into hibernation mode, thus justifying our unhealthy eating habits. So how do we satisfy cravings for something hearty, filling and comforting; a winter salad? Serving this superfood salad at your next holiday party or dinner will not only impress your guests because it's delicious, but actually leave them full!

Let's just gloss over why this salad is packed with superfoods, great flavors and a delight for any holiday celebration:

• Dark greens: Using a leafy green such as kale, often leads to a full tummy because it's full of fiber. Hint: Kale absorbs dressings and oils pretty slowly, so the longer you let the your kale soak (think like 30 minutes), the better it will taste. This is definitely to your advantage if you are severing kale salad at a potluck or party because you know your salad won't be soggy or ruined if you leave it out for longer than usual. 
• Protein: Adding seeds or nuts give salad a less than boring texture and will trick your mind into feeling fuller with all that crunch! Plus the added benefit of protein in just a 1/4 cup!
• Homemade dressing: Making a dressing using vinegars, oils, citrus and spices; create a few robust flavors that take your dressing from blah to BAM! Add a little greek yogurt to slim down creamier, dressing recipes. 
• Using avocado: Will often do the trick, in place of cheese, especially if you are looking for a creaminess. 
• Balance out flavors with fruit: Use fruit year-round. There are plenty of winter fruits, like persimmon, that are abundantly available. Persimmon is often used in sweeter dishes and puddings, but is perhaps seldom used, all together, because of its faux tomato appearance? Note: Persimmons are for the more patient food enthusiasts, as they are often too hard to eat and ripen over a week or two of sitting on the kitchen counter. BUT if you a forgetful one, maybe this is blessing in disguise? 

Persimmons not quite soft yet? Leave them for a week at room temperature to ripen

While some people don't really view salad as a stand alone meal, pairing it with a lean protein like chicken breast (need a recipe, find it here!) or salmon, might coax you into eating more salad this winter, rather than a side of (your favorite starchy dish here).

Have I convinced you yet?

If these vibrant pictures don't convert you to salad this winter, maybe some "skinny" Mozzarella Sticks and homemade aioli, featured in Kneading Sass's next Holiday Healthy series, will get to your waistline...or not! :)

Persimmon and Kale Salad

This colorful salad is a great addition to any holiday party!

Kneading Sass original

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of lacto or dinosaur kale, washed, dried, torn off the stem
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 persimmon, washed and sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup of pepita seeds, or any chopped nut such as walnuts or pecans (perhaps candied!)
• 1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese (optional)

Dressing:

• 2 Tbl. olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 Tbl. honey or agave
• 1 Tbl. balsamic vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced finely
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Wash kale bunch and dry throughly. Tear kale leaves from stem, which is distastefully, sour. Coarsely chop kale and set aside in a large mixing bowl. Juice half of one lemon over kale and "massage" kale until throughly coated. This process allows the kale to soften a bit and allow for the flavors to saturate the kale better.
2. To make the dressing: In a bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, agave, garlic, salt and pepper with a whisk. Set aside to pour over kale later.
3. Slice persimmon in half, and then into paper thin slices. Add to kale. Slice avocado and add crumbled gorgonzola to kale as well.
4. Toast pepita seeds, or leave them raw (like I did!). There is also the option to use chopped walnuts or pecans in this salad.
5. Toss kale with dressing until it coats leaves evenly. This salad soaks the flavors of the dressing as you leave it out longer, but serving immediately is fine as well!