A lot of fancy cooking and baking is going on this week in preparation for Christmas and New Year’s Day, and I love and wait for all the special dishes that are on the menu in the next few days. But somewhere along the way, when you think to yourself “oh gosh, another rich dish” it’s nice to have a recipe that is festive and delicious and healthy too. I recently found this salad recipe on PROUD ITALIAN COOK and probably wouldn’t have given it a second look if my friend, Marie, hadn’t recommended it so highly. We like kale and brussel sprouts but the thought of eating them raw didn’t do anything for me at all. The salad definitely looked festive and appetizing and if Marie recommended it…well, it had to be good.
Marie said she could eat this salad every day and I”m following right in her footsteps. I’m spending Christmas this year in Chicago with my daughter and family and we made this Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad the day after I arrived. It was so good we are making it again to include in tomorrow’s Christmas dinner. It’s just plain addictive. The first time we followed the recipe and used almonds and Parmesan cheese and this time we are going to add feta cheese and roasted hazelnuts…just to change it up a bit.
This is a short post because I need to be in the kitchen…it’s Christmas Eve after all… but I wanted to share this recipe because it is so good and is a great change of pace from all the rich food we will consume in the next few days. It’s delicious the second day too so don’t worry about making too much.
My daughter has a Pampered Chef Party right after Thanksgiving every year and this year I bought their new little salad dressing shaker for vinaigrettes. It went right to the top of my favorite kitchen gadget list because it does it all…ingredients are added to the jar and the whisk plunger emulsifies everything in a few seconds. The dressing can be stored in the jar…it has a handy, dripless pour spout…and whisked for a second before use to blend all the ingredients. The lid can be turned to move the pour area to the side and store the dressing. Quick, easy and mess-less.
BEST WISHES FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS FOR A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, chopped with stems removed
- ½ pound brussel sprouts, sliced thin or shredded in a food processor
- ¼ cup carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1 large celery stalk, thinly sliced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup Marcona almonds
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, coarsely grated
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 or 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- a pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Place chopped kale, shredded brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, dried cranberries and almonds into a large bowl. Sprinkle with almonds and grated cheese.
- Whisk olive oil, lemon, garlic, red pepper and Dijon mustard together in a small separate bowl, then toss with the kale and sprout mixture, adding more cheese and olive oil if needed. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
I will try that salad after the New Year. It looks perfect…roasted hazelnuts…where can I find those? (Thank you)
Cathy, we have had that Pampered Chef salad dressing mixer since 2000. It has a worn look, but we still love it. A very handy tool and it cleans up so spiffy in the dishwasher. Merry, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy the precious time together. Hugs to you from Dale and me.
Susan recently posted..Snickerdoodle Muffins
You are so welcome, Susan. I thought that salad dressing container was a new product. I hadn’t seen it before, but now don’t know how I would get along without it. I hope you, Dale and your family enjoy a very Merry Christmas.
Cathy recently posted..Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
I have just added this recipe to my list of things to make over the holidays. Loving the Pampered Chef gadget as well. Why didn’t I see that at my last party.
Merry Christmas, Val. I’ve missed it in their catalog for years, and am very happy to have found it now. It’s a gadget I will use often.
Cathy recently posted..Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
Looks fabulous, Cathy. Shameless promo for Pampered Chef, but now you have me wanting one of those!
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Debby
Foodiewife recently posted..Last Minute Christmas/New Year’s Menu Ideas for Busy Cooks
Cathy, I pinned this. We will all need it at our house after the holiday.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Merry Christmas My Friends
Hi Madonna – I’m almost ready for some healthy recipes, too. Love the rich food but a little goes a long way. Merry Christmas and happy New Year’s best wishes to you and your family. Thanks for stopping by.
Cathy recently posted..Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
I think we all enjoy having some healthy recipes to enjoy after the holidays and this salad sounds perfect. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Joyous Wishes For The Holiday Season
Thank you, Karen. I hope your holiday is a very happy one.
Cathy recently posted..Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
It looks delicious, Cathy!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, blessings!
Kathleen recently posted..Let’s DIsh Christmas Edition~Irish You a Merry Christmas!
Sounds like a very healthy salad Cathy and I love your new kitchen toy! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas-enjoy:@)
Happier Than A Pig in Mud recently posted..Christmas Stollen
Hi Cathy, just dropping by to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year ahead…I am sure you are busy cooking up a storm for your family and enjoying your time with them, glad to see some healthy food for the season!:D
Next year, THIS is what I will be taking to the vegetarian in laws home, for sure!
Strange combination but if both you AND Marie say its good, I’ll believe you.
I hope you’re having a WONDERFUL Christmas Holiday in Chicago with your family, Cathy!
Stay warm!!
hugs,
Rett
rettabug recently posted..Christmas Eve Tablescape, 2013
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We make a sweet potato and Brussels sprouts hash, but don’t believe I’ve eaten them raw – I’ll have to look into this. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas Cathy.
Larry recently posted..Happy Holidays
Cathy,
Your salad sounds wonderful right now. I am so stuffed after two days of eating. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Fruitcake and Friendship – two gifts that last a lifetime
I have to save this:) Fresh..colorful:)
Enjoy!!
Monique recently posted..Home~ Sweet Home~
Your salad looks delicious! And after all the eating I’ve been doing over Christmas, I NEED to find some good salad recipes to lighten things up a little! Love the addition of the brussel sprouts here, that sounds really good!
Maria recently posted..2013 Shopgirl Favorites
I made a massaged kale salad at Thanksgiving that was a huge HIT. I love raw kale. Will need to give the sprouts a try. Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Debra recently posted..Dulce de Leche White Chocolate Cookies
This looks like just what the doctor ordered … literally. I’m so “riched” out and this looks so fresh and healthy. Thanks for the recipe Cathy.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Twice Baked Potatoes with Poached Eggs
I made your festive & most delectable seasonal salad & it was just divine, Cathy! Happy 2014! xx
Sophie recently posted..A Happy New Year from Sophie’s Foodie Files & the Top 10 posts of 2013!!!! 🙂
I’ll be making this a lot this month to shed some of the weight I gained during the holiday season. Happy New Year Cathy!
That’s a cute gadget. Been out with family. Happy New Year.
The salad looks wonderful.
I made this salad twice over the holidays and it was a big hit. The only problem was how quickly it disappeared. Will have to make it again soon.
Cathy — this looks devine. I saw a similar recipe on Farmhouse Rules on
food and was so excited about the combo of flavors. I also saw a similar recipe on Epicurious — anyway, my hybrid, low-carb version will make an appearance on my blog soon 😉
Blessings!
Gail
Gail Blain Prather recently posted..Crunchy, Nutty Cole Slaw