A Summer Kale Salad Recipe that will blow your mind! Filled with fresh cherries and blueberries for some sweet then countered with salty bacon and feta. Perfect for a backyard bbq party this summer!
It’s all about perspective!
The news these days has been lighting up with major headlines. Bruce Jenner changing to Caitlyn Jenner and getting a front page feature on Vanity Fair. The United States legalizing same sex marriage. The horrific shooting at the church in Charleston, South Carolina that killed nine people including the pastor.
It’s easy to get caught up in the those headlines and lots of people tend to take “sides” on these and many other topics. I’m sure you’ve heard those “sides” or opinions if you’ve watched the news or been on the internet. While I think there’s value in stating your beliefs I think what’s ultimately most important is how we treat each other and how much energy we invest in loving each other.
Overall we are called to love not judge. Only God has the final say. So why spin our wheels arguing over who is right or wrong and trying to get our “opinion” out there. Instead lets spend all that energy loving the person in front of us for who they are! Who knows, maybe that unrelenting non judgmental love will pierce through someones heart and completely alter their life. Isn’t that what Jesus did anyways?
He invited the most hated of the town into his home and ate dinner with them, he loved the downcast, saved the prostitute, and healed the sick. That is life changing love, the kind that pierces through society and completely trancends time! Thats the kind of love I want to show to other people!
Let’s love and let God take care of the rest!
It’s all about perspective. Instead of fixing our eyes on the things that could cause us fear, anxiety, or anger – lets fix our eyes on Jesus and all those things will dull in comparison! Just some words of encouragement today!
Love you sweet friends!
Ok, let’s move on to the food business for today! Shall we?
Since 4th of July is right around the corner, I thought I would come up with a fun Red, White, and Blue recipe for you! I was realizing that I didn’t have to many “festive” recipes on JHE so I thought it was waranted.
On a side note, I just posted a roundup on Parade’s online magazine with 17 Healthy Dessert Recipes for the 4th of July – make sure you grab it so your ready for this weekend!
This Cherry Summer Kale Salad recipe was inspired by all the yummy fresh fruit that is bountiful right now! I threw every fruit I could think of into this gorgeous salad! It is filled with fresh cherries, blueberries, BACON (yes), feta cheese, pecans, and granny smith apples!
The sweet salty combo of this salad will blow your mind and the nutritional value is an added bonus! The fresh vibrant tastes and colors will make it a hit at your next party! I hope it makes a debut this weekend, I know it will at mine!
Bon Appetite!
Cherry Summer Kale Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Salad, Gluten Free, Side Dishes
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A Summer Kale Salad Recipe filled with fresh cherries, sweet blueberries, salty bacon, and creamy feta. Perfect for a backyard bbq party this summer!
Ingredients
- 6 cups kale leaves, massaged
- 6 strips bacon, diced
- 1 cup cherries, halved (seeds removed)
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup diced granny smith apple
- 1/4 cup pecan pieces
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon dy basil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- salt & pepper to season
Instructions
- Massage torn kale leaves with a bit of sea salt. (see these instructions)
- Heat a medium saute pan to medium high heat, add bacon and cook fro 5 minutes until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel to let grease drain.
- In a small bowl add dijon mustard, honey, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk to emulsify (so the oil and vinegar are no longer separated).
- In a large bowl add kale, bacon, cherries, blueberries, feta cheese, apples, and pecan pieces.
- Serve dressing on the side or toss in at the last minute.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 236
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 305 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
Filed Under:
IF YOU MAKE ONE OF THESE RECIPES, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT #JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!
Want More Recipes for a Backyard BBQ Party?
Caribbean Grilled Salmon Kabobs
Light Easy Potato Salad with Mustard Thyme Sauce
26 comments on “Cherry Summer Kale Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette”
This is an amazing salad! I made it last night for a family dinner and it disappeared very quickly all 3 generations of my family loved it 🙂
That is a big compliment! So happy everyone enjoyed it!
This is my new favorite salad. I had everything except feta so I subbed blue cheese crumbles. Fabulous!
oh.. the blue cheese would still be awesome in this.. give it a nice tangy flavor! So glad you enjoyed it Yvonne!
I couldn’t agree with you more Krista! I have been avoiding facebook just because I can’t stand the thought of seeing another argument over these issues. Standing up for what you believe in is so important but if you don’t have love than you have nothing.
This salad looks INCREDIBLE! Pinned!
EXACLY!!!
Thanks so much girl, for the wise words and the pin! 🙂
I couldn’t agree with you more! Jesus’ whole ministry was about one thing: Love! We are called to love others since He first loved us. It can be so easy to get caught up in the politics and lose perspective. Such wise words! P.S.–this salad looks wonderful!
It can definitely be easy to get caught up in all the “stuff” going on but I always have to come back to the source. 🙂
I bought a huge bag of fresh cherries this past weekend and have been eating them like crazy! I grilled them and used them on a similar salad, but this really looks fantastic with the blueberries and pecans. Thanks for sharing, pinning!
you grilled them!? I’m so impressed.. such a great idea! Thanks for the pin!
I was finally starting to get over my obsession with cherries this summer, and then you go and post this recipe Krista! Ugh! Darn you! It does look sooooo super fantastic though. 😉
hahah.. right! it is never ending.. cherries all day long! 🙂
I love cherries but have yet to put them in a salad. This looks gorgeous and delicious!
You need to try it! SO stinking good in salads!
This salad looks so fresh and delicious! I absolutely adore balsamic dressing!! Oh, and thanks for the words of encouragement! Much needed each and every day!
Thanks so much Sara!
Krista I totally agree with you! I hardly get on Facebook anymore. All you see is hate from both sides of any debate. In other news I am dying over this salad!
So glad you liked the salad girl… and smart move on staying away from facebook!
I totally agree that only one person has the right to judge, it’s a great perspective to have on life 🙂
This salad looks mouthwatering, love all those yummy flavors! Perfect to take to a BBQ!
Thanks Sherri!
What beautiful pictures! This salad is super healthy, but a little naughty with the cheese and bacon… I love it! I have an excess of cherries right now, so I’m thinking this would make a delicious lunch.
…I think this the second time I landed on your blog in the last week. I love your recipes!
haha… naughty but nice… love it! 🙂
So glad you landed here a second time.. makes my day girl!
what a great looking summer salad! pinning…
Thanks David!
You are SO right. We are called to love, just as Jesus did. I always love your posts!
Oh, and I triple love this salad! Cherries and balsamic and kale? HECK YES. Pinning!
Thanks so much Taylor, so happy to hear that, means the world! 🙂
Thanks for the pin sweet friend!