Kale Quinoa Salad

Total Time Prep: 15 min. Cook: 25 min.
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Kale quinoa salad is a nutritious side dish and, conveniently, a salad you can make ahead of time. Zippy lemon juice, silky onions and chewy currants combine with kale and pine nuts for a salad that's a hearty lunch or an easy potluck offering.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 6 cups coarsely chopped fresh kale
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup dried currants
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, bring water and tomato juice to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 18-22 minutes. Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork.
  2. In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic and pepper flakes; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in kale and cook until wilted, 3-4 minutes.
  3. Stir in pine nuts and currants; cook until kale is tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper; cook 1-2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and stir in quinoa. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

2/3 cup: 190 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.

Here's a holiday side dish you can feel good about serving. Kale packs a mighty punch of vitamins, while quinoa delivers a hearty serving of protein. Best of all, the flavor of this kale quinoa salad can't be beat! —Lisa Warren, Washington, DC
Recipe Creator

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