Raspberry Kale Salad

Raspberry Kale Salad with shrub vinaigrette and edible flowers is a fresh seasonal and light summer salad using easy to grow “garden stars” that can also be created year round with store bought produce.

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Kale salad recipe

Years ago I started mixing edible plants into my flower gardens and landscaping.

By growing different produce over the years and I’ve started to figure out what works best.  There are definitely some plants that work best for my growing area and family tastes. These are what I refer to as my “garden stars”.

• Scallions, garlic and/or sweet onions make an appearance at every meal, are easy to grow and are amazing when fresh so over the months when I can grow them, I do.
• Edible flowers are beautiful in the garden and in the kitchen. Marigold and pansy are both very mild while phlox and nasturtium are slightly spicy.
• All varieties of chard and kale have a long growing season and a very rewarding even when given only a small space. I especially love that you can harvest the outer leaves frequently and the center just continues to grow all season.
• Herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, chives and dill are easy to grow and give instant flavor to everything from breakfast eggs, to cocktails and sauces.
• Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries keep us supplied with fruit from May through September. Plus growing your own berries gives the kids an easy diy snack and something to do when summer boredom hits- “just go pick berries!”

Using all five “garden stars” this salad is fresh, flavorful, and nutritious. And if using your own produce, it could be very economical as well.

Ingredients

• Kale – or other sturdy green like swiss chard or cabbage.
• Raspberries – or substitute other fresh seasonal berry.
• Edible flowers – add a subtle spice, great texture and make for a beautiful unexpected topping. Don’t have them? Just leave them out or sprinkle on a bit of crushed red or aleppo pepper instead.
• Raspberry Shrub Vinaigrette – made from local farmers market favorite, Cascade Shrub Farm Raspberry Citrus Shrub (a type of drinking vinegar). Combined fresh basil and olive oil it’s perfect for homemade dressing. No shrub? Use a red wine or other vinegar combined and some fresh or frozen fruit or a dollop of jam.
• Pistachios – for crunch. Substitute with whatever mix of nuts and/or seeds you have.
• Grilled chicken – shredded rotisserie, grilled, pan fried or quick poached chicken. Or leave it out all together.

Sweet, spicy and tangy this is one meal 15 minute meal is as almost too pretty to eat. But somehow always disappears. It’s a lovely, sturdy green salad that stays fresh even when dressed ahead of time. Perfect for potlucks, lunchboxes and picnics.

📖 Recipe

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