When cherries are in season…

I can’t wait to make this salad.
It’s super easy to throw together, but I need to warn you…it’s very hands on.  So be prepared for a little bit of a mess.  It’s totally worth it.
A cherry pitter is highly recommended.

Here’s what I use:
🍒   Fresh sweet cherries are one of my favorite fruits.  They also happen to be loaded with vitamin C, fiber, copper, and a unique set of antioxidants that can be very helpful with inflammation.  Vitamin C and copper help to firm and brighten the skin.  Cherries are a little higher in sugar than most of the fruits I eat, which is why I like to use them in salads instead of just eating them by the bowl (although I do that sometimes too!)

🍒   Baby kale forms the base of this salad.  The slightly bitter taste is a great balance for the sweetness of the cherries.  Kale is one of those veggies that we know we should eat more of but it doesn’t always happen.  Prewashed baby kale in the clam shell packages makes life easier.  Kale is a great source of vitamins A, C and K along with copper.  So like the cherries it’s awesome for your skin.  Kale is also rich in lutein, an antioxidant known for protecting the health of our eyes.
🍒   Walnuts add crunch and their distinctive nutty flavor.  They are also a good plant source of omega 3 fats, copper and biotin.
🍒   Balsamic vinegar adds a tangy sweetness that really complements this salad.  I was surprised to learn that it also contains flavonoids that can protect heart and brain health.  I was just using it because I like the taste!
🍒   Olive or avocado oil adds a rich flavor to the salad.  The healthy fats also help your body take full advantage of the nutrients in the cherries and kale.  I love Kasandrinos olive oil…it comes direct from family farms in Greece, and for avocado oil I always go with Primal Kitchen Foods.  

A decent sized portion of this salad fills me for lunch.  You could totally add chicken for additional protein.
This is my kind of recipe…no measurements, just eyeball everything
happy, healthy and hot cherry kale salad- one serving- can double, triple, whatever!
two or three handfuls prewashed baby kale
handful of sweet cherries, washed
half a handful of shelled walnuts- can be halves, chopped, whatever you have
drizzle of balsamic vinegar
drizzle of olive or avocado oil
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Throw the kale in a larger bowl than you think you need…this is a hands on salad! The next part is the messiest…pit the cherries.  There is no tidy way to do this…do not try this in your new white tank or you will be sorry.  Throw cherries and walnuts into bowl and drizzle on the balsamic and oil.  Use your hands to combine, making sure the balsamic and oil are distributed throughout.  (Sometimes you need to get a little intimate with your food.)  Transfer to a smaller bowl if you like.  Enjoy!
If I am eating the salad right away, I might run a knife through the kale a few times on a cutting board before throwing into the bowl.  This helps it absorb the oil and vinegar and really soften up.  If it’s going to sit for a bit, do not bother with this step…the kale will totally shrink.
So can my cherry kale salad help you feel happy, healthy and hot?  Why am I even asking this?
You will be happy enjoying a quick and delicious meal bursting with flavor.  This salad is loaded with healthy ingredients that support your hair, skin and nails.  Plus eating a nutrient dense salad like this can help maintain a healthy weight.  And with that fit body and gorgeous hair, skin and nails…you’ll be hot for sure!
Thanks for reading and let me know if you try this!
SHOP THE POST
Cherry Pitter
Primal Kitchen Foods Avocado Oil
Kasandrinos Olive Oil