Christmas Kale Salad

Kale Salad with Cranberry Salad Dressing

Kale is considered a super food and cranberries are filled with antioxidants, combine the two and one might get one super salad!!! Or at least a fantastic tasty one. In many cases, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas, most people have leftover cranberry sauce or a whole can left over. Instead of waiting for the next holiday, or even year, create a salad using the cranberries as a sweet and tangy dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Kale Salad Mix
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup jellied or whole cranberry sauce 
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (optional)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/3 cup sugar, more or less if desired
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 tablespoons orange zest (optional)
• Apples (thinly sliced) or sliced plum set to the side

Directions:

1. Pour the Kale Salad mix into a large salad bowl, set aside.
2. Finely chop pecans or walnuts in a food processor, place in a small bowl and mix in dried cranberries. Toss into the Kale Salad mix. 
3. Heat the cranberry sauce in a microwavable bowl for about a minute, until partly liquified (or use a food processor and add the orange juice and balsamic vinegar to liquify).
4. Stir in the sugar, juice, balsamic vinegar, and salt.
5. Toss the dressing into the salad, sprinkle orange zest on top, and serve alongside apples or plums.

This would make a good edition to holiday menus or for an after holiday meal that is not so heavy. Add some turkey in there and leftovers will be gone before too long, leaving everyone time to settle down before the next holiday wave. Merry Christmas!!!