This kale and beet greens salad is a vibrant, nutrient-filled salad that is tasty and good for you! I like to drizzle it with a poppy seed dressing.
…and wheat berry and pecans and cracked black pepper with a honey poppy seed dressing.
I literally was just at the store and filled my basket 3/4 of the way full with produce only. Sometimes I stroll through the produce area and want to buy it all… and some days I actually do.
On Tuesday it looked like I raided the plant area of the home & garden section. I had beet leafy greens, fennel fronds, dill, cilantro, parsnips (with the parsley still attached) and carrot tops sticking out of my cart. I’m sure my check out gal just loves seeing me roll up in her lane. She probably thinks “oh great. There’s that blogger girl. Again.” Because I’m one of those people that they have to weigh and manually enter in my 58 dollars worth of produce and that just has to be annoying… even though when I do it at the self checkout I find it to be sort of fun and I bag groceries like it’s my j-o-b.
So I had these mental plans to make this glorious winter kale salad loaded with healthy toppings, a little Gorgonzola action and a light drizzle of honey poppy seed dressing. I just couldn’t wait to make this salad, it’s like my body was craving dark leafy greens (and gorgonzola- as per usual).
I wanted a salad big enough I could eat it as my lunch for days. A salad for me. And for you.
Those are the best kinds of salads.
So I roasted beets the other day and was looking at those beautiful leafy ends and decided right then and there that I was putting those in my salad. They’re full of iron, vitamins and minerals and can be sautéed like spinach or dipped into ranch (don’t hate). So the next time you buy a big-o-bunch of beets do NOT toss out those tops… put’em in your salad (or dip them in ranch, just sayin’)!
I use my rice cooker for so many things. Rice, quinoa, wheat berries… you name it. I cooked up 1/4 cup (dry weight) wheat berries, but be sure to follow the measurements pertaining to your rice cooker. Or heck, use an old fashioned pan. In my defense I don’t own a pan with a lid that small and I love this little appliance. (Simply Stainless… that makes me giggle.)
I also love my salad spinner. A lot. I use it for all things green like lettuce, kale, beet greens and when I need massive amounts of herbs washed for pesto or basil chips. So I bought this spontaneously one day when I ran into Target to pick up socks for my daughter. Then I walked out with her socks plus other random things like leggings, bowls and a salad spinner. Story of my life.
Once the greens are washed and spun…
Next give them a rough chop.
And then throw them into a big bowl and give them a toss.
Next grab the fennel, peel off any tough layers, cut in half, remove the core and slice paper thin. Toss it in with the kale and beet greens.
Then thinly slice up a red pear…
Add a pinch of salt to the wheat berries…
Next roughly chop up some toasted pecans.
Place the fennel and greens on to a plate, sprinkle with a tablespoon or so of wheat berries, chopped pecans, crumbled gorgonzola, cracked black pepper and then drizzle of the creamy-dreamy honey poppy seed dressing. Orrrr just toss it all in one gigantic bowl.
This is may be my best kale and beet greens salad yet.
But then again, I say that about every salad.
Enjoy! And if you give this kale and beet greens salad recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Winter Kale and Beet Greens Salad with Pear, Gorgonzola and Fennel
Ingredients
- 1 bunch kale leaves, leaves stripped and stems discarded
- 1 bunch beet greens, leafy tops from one large bunch of beets
- 1 small fennel bulb, cored and sliced thin
- 1 red pear, sliced thin
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup gorgonzola, crumbled, more or less to taste
- 3/4 cup honey poppy seed dressing
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss the chopped kale, beet greens and fennel slices together.
- Divide among bowls or plates.
- Top with thinly sliced pear, chopped pecans and crumbled Gorgonzola.
- Season with cracked black pepper and a few spoonfuls of dressing.
[this post contains affiliate links.]
Buy the Cookbook: Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy Now available on Amazon »
THANK YOU in advance for your support!
What a wonderful salad. I was moderately surprised at how beautiful
it was. You did a lovely job in arranging and presentation and obviously
photography. Very testy with lot of variety in textures and flavors
too. There really is no excuse anymore for a salad to be boring. I can’t even look at regular lettuce in the produce department anymore.
This salad is everything I want in my life right now. Everyday of my life is more like it. SO many flavors and textures! Pinning this now!
Oh yeah. I could eat this salad all day, everyday. Right up my alley! Love it!
This looks amazing and so flavourful!
May I suggest that you also keep the greens from your beets to put in soups? Best use yet.
And may I say that I hate Kale in salads? The only way possible for me is in soups or sauteed. If not, we are forever chewing like cows. Just saying. I think Kale is a big fuss and that most people don’t like it but eat it and pretend to like it. Same with Tofu…
Bravo for your good work, inspiring.
I looooooove these types of salads. Oh dear, that cheese, the apples, the kale. Nev’ ev’ stop.
I am a big fan of Salads ; always try new recipes. Of course, I will try this one too! Thanks.
I have a feeling the folks at my local grocery store think the same thoughts about me. I like my produce, and I like it to look purdy. This salad rocks my world. Pinned.
Beautiful, healthy and so delicious salad!
Delicious! Sometimes my body craves leafy greens too!
This looks sooo good! I love a hearty salad, especially in the winter when all those delicate greens aren’t doing it for me. Beautiful! Thanks, Laurie.
What a delicious salad – I receive so many complements when I make it for others!
Lovely looking salad. I some beautiful beets. And can’t wait to try this today. Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you, Bj! Enjoy!
this is a great salad mean