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Salad | April 25, 2016

Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing
Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

Last week, I taught a Spring Cooking Class to two groups of women in my home.We all had a great time learning how to cook, getting to know each other a little better, and of course, finishing the class off with a meal! Everyone loved this Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing. It’s the perfect salad for your next luncheon served with a little chicken salad croissant and a fun dessert or two!

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Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing
Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

I’m probably the last person on the planet who hasn’t jumped on the kale bandwagon. I have a hard time eating something that tastes like a cross between grass and really tough lettuce. I love the dark color and the interest it adds to salads. I also love that kale holds its shape and doesn’t become soggy after being dressed, but the toughness of the leaves always makes me want to take a pass when offered a kale salad.

I was so happy to find the secret for me to enjoying kale in a salad was a little massage time! Yes, you read that right, a little massage. I shared a salad a while back that was a copycat of a salad I ate at Red Butte restaurant and surprisingly, loved!  I knew for this salad I wanted a variety of greens and I thought kale was the perfect green to mix with either spinach or lettuce. I wanted the salad to have bit of pasta, lots of fresh fruit, and be able to hold up for a while if it was left to sit on a buffet table for a baby or wedding shower.

Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

I know you’re going to love Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing.  It’s loaded with fresh berries and veggies, a light citrus dressing and some creamy avocados to top it all off.   Happy Spring!

Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

Servings 20 -25 side servings
Author Si Foster, A Bountiful Kitchen

Ingredients

salad:

  • 1 lb bowtie pasta cooked al dente , cooled and tossed with olive oil or a bit of the dressing
  • 8 cups kale about one bunch of Kale, chopped
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • sea salt
  • 1 large head red leaf lettuce or 16-20 cups of spinach
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 1 pint raspberries
  • 1 pint strawberries
  • celery finely chop 2-3 stalks
  • 1 bunch green onion chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion chopped fine
  • avocado 1-2 chunked

dressing:

  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1 heaping tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 1 tablespoons chopped shallot
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar or cider vinegar
  • 2-3 tablespoons honey
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta, for bowtie, I cook for about 10 minutes ( a minute less than package directions) in about two tablespoons of salt.Set aside to cool, or if making ahead, toss with a bit of the dressing (about 1/4 cup) or a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, place in ziplock bag and store in fridge for up to three days before serving.
  2. Prepare the dressing by placing all dressing ingredients in a deep bowl or jar and whisking using an immersion blender. You may also use a blender. Set aside in refrigerator until ready to use.
  3. Wash the berries and let drain. Pat dry if needed.
  4. Wash and spin the kale dry. Chop into bite size pieces. Place in a large bowl. Juice the lemon and pour over the kale in the bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the kale. Sprinkle with a bit of sea salt. Using hands, massage the kale for a few minutes until you can feel the kale breaking down. When you are finished, the kale should be about half the volume. You may also do this in a sealed ziplock bag, squeeze the air out first!
  5. Toss the pasta, kale and the other greens (lettuce or spinach) together and place in a large serving bowl.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining fruit, chopped celery, green and red onions on top of the greens in a serving bowl or platter. Add the chopped avocado just before serving. Drizzle with dressing.
  7. Alternately, toss the greens, pasta and all of the other ingredients in a large bowl with about 1/2 of the dressing, reserving some of the fresh berries and the avocado. After tossing, place in serving bowl, top with additional fruit and avocado and drizzle with a little of the remaining dressing.

2 thoughts on “Springtime Spinach, Kale and Pasta Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

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  1. You are the salad queen! Every time we have dinner with my husband’s grandma, she asks me to bring a green salad, cause she thinks I’m so good at them, but it’s really because I try a new one from your blog every time! Having this one Sunday and the springtime with white chocolate pecan bread croutons on Monday! I can’t get enough of those croutons, haha. Thank you!

    1. Hi Elise,
      You’re welcome! I love a good salad! I’m so glad your family loves these salad recipes. Thanks for being such a loyal fan and thanks for reading ABK!
      xo,
      Si