The start of a new year is always a great time to reboot my healthy eating habits, but I also like to be realistic and prepare things for myself and family that I know we’ll enjoy eating and that’ll actually fill us up. This Chickpea, Kale, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad is just that; not only is it a salad that’s so delicious and easy to make, it’ll also definitely fill you up! I love a salad with lots of “stuff” in it in general so I don’t get bored with it, especially if it’s an entree salad. I love the bits of sweetness from the apples and the crunch from both the apples and pecans. The goat cheese adds a nice tangy and creamy component to the salad, the chickpeas add to the ‘filling’ factor, and the bacon is just plain ol’ delicious, but can be omitted to make this salad even better for you. I love the hearty aspect of kale, especially paired with this simple lemon vinaigrette, but you can also substitute with a more delicate green like arugula and it’ll be just as good! Enjoy! xx, Jenny
Chickpea Kale Apple and Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
lemon vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp shallots, minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 1½ tsp honey
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
salad
- 1 bunch kale, ribs removed and torn into bite sized pieces
- 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained
- 6 slices crispy bacon, diced
- 1 small gala apple, cored and sliced into matchsticks
- ⅔ cup lightly toasted pecans
- ⅔ cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
lemon vinaigrette
- Place all ingredients, except oil, into a large mixing bowl and whisk together. In a slow and steady stream whisk in oil until fully incorporated. Whisk in salt and pepper to taste.
salad
- Place kale over vinaigrette and massage together until kale pieces are evenly coated and slightly soften.
- Pour kale onto a serving platter or serving bowl and top with remaining ingredients. Lightly season with pepper and toss everything together before serving.
Oh my goodness! I have everything for once. Without going to the store. I plan on making this over the weekend. It had many of my favorite things, which includes kale! Thank you for what sounds like a delicious salad!
good thinking, something for all, or at least most, in this dish, like how you’ve paired so many ingredients so creatively, thank you!
This was good, but not great. I thought the goat cheese wasn’t necessary. I preferred the salad without it.