4cupskale, chopped into bite-sized pieces. I buy pre-washed & bagged.
1Gala apple, diced into 1/4″ pieces
⅓cupgoat cheese, crumbled
½cuppecans, toasted
2tbspsunflower seeds, toasted
Cinnamon Balsamic Dressing
2tbspgood balsamic vinegar
2tsp brown sugar
⅛tsp ground cinnamon
¼cupextra virgin olive oil
2tsp lemon juice, fresh squeezed
¾tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
For the nuts
In a medium fry pan over low heat, place pecans in a single layer toasting them on both sides until fragrant. Remove and let cool.
Do the same with the sunflower seeds unless you’ve purchased them already roasted and salted. Due to the difference in size of pecans & sunflower seeds, you’ll want to toast them separately otherwise the sunflowers will burn before the pecans are ready!
For the Dressing
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and Dijon mustard until combined.
Next, slowly add in the olive oil whisking quickly until it’s all incorporated.
To make the salad
In a large salad bowl place the diced apple and kale.
Drizzle the dressing over the mixture, toss and let sit for about 10 minutes. This allows the acidity in the dressing to to break down the kale fibers, making it softer.
Finally, add in the goat cheese, pecans and sunflower seeds – toss and serve!