Remember that Fig Kombucha Vinaigrette I showed you a couple of days ago? FANtastic on this salad.
You guys, I cancelled my gym membership.
I know. I’m the only person on the planet who leaves the gym in January.
It’s not because I’m a contrarian extraordinaire, going against the New Years Resolution grain, and have decided to just not be fit.
It’s because it’s summer.
Okay, false, it’s winter.
But here in Reno/Tahoe, winter is dressed up in a summer suit. 4 years running, winter has been scary dry, and deliciously beautiful. It’s sunny and plenty warm enough to run outside. Which is why I cancelled my gym membership.
I almost feel guilty for enjoying this non-winter winter so much, and for absolutely loving my outdoor recreation activities. Working out is supposed to be just.awful, right? But lately, I’ve been tapping the trails like a dirty rap song, and guys, it’s been hot. Literally. Sweat.everywhere.
Winter salads! Let’s be pros at them. Since it’s citrus season, I’ve been slurping down sweet, tart, blood oranges, staining my counter tops with their vibrant juices, and adding the goooorgois fruit to just about everything under the sun.
Did I tell you the story about how blood oranges got…bloody? Oh my gah, you’ve gotta hear this one, because it’s an epic mind blow for people like me. Blood orange flesh is dark orange/red because it’s full of anthocyanins, which is a fancy word for antioxidants, which is a fancy way of saying they help detox and cleanse your system. This is the same antioxidant in many other deeply-colored fruits and vegetables, like blueberries, beets, red cabbage, etc. While the oranges grow, the pigment of the flesh deepens to that maroons color during the night, when temperatures drop. Ninja oranges! To learn more about blood oranges, check out this Guide to Blood Oranges from Cooking Light.
All things considered, this salad is a winning detox, with all the Vitamin C, K, A, and antioxidants you need to cleanse and replenish your system. Because kale is fat soluble, it needs to be consumed with a healthy fat in order to be properly digested, which is where the avocado and walnuts come in. They help you process and absorb the nutrients from the leafy green. Plus the whole thing tastes maaaarvelous.
Eat yourself some kale with kombucha vinaigrette and all the dang bloody oranges.
Or vinaigrette of choice. You can also use the balsamic-date dressing from my Roasted Root Salad in place of the kombucha vinaigrette.Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe Notes
Oh look at you and your hot, sweaty weather. GAH. Things I miss about living in California! My lungs are burning here if I try and run outside. Brrr. This salad is simply gorgeous. Love it!
Wow, I wish it was nice outside here! We are frozen! This salad looks great! I just bought a bunch of blood oranges – now I know what to do with them!
Ohhh we are soo on the blood orange wavelength! This salad is gorgeous and look so perfect with that boocha dressing!
Good for you for getting out there and hitting the trails! Trail running is one of my absolute favorite things to do. My next favorite is going to be slathering that dressing on everything!
I’m so jealous of your sweaty trail runs. It’s been really cold here and by the time I get home, it’s pitch black so I have no choice but to keep on keepin’ on at the gym.
Anywho, this salad is totally GORGE. I want to paint my face with it and then drink the leftover dressing.
Definitely no fake winter happening here in Sweden! But I am loving winter citrus season, and blood oranges are some of my faves. Love them paired with kale and avocado here. Just perfect!
I’m jealous of your winter. All we have is gray skies and layers of ice. I’ve been slurping down blood oranges too. Only, my oranges are shaken with bourbon. It’s a survivor tactic I learned to keep warm. I’ll be sure to save one orange when I buy my next bag so I can enjoy this salad with a side of bourbon. Pinned.
There is really nothing better than bloodorange with its sweet-sour-flavor. Thank you for sharing this colorful and delicious recipe!
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I am so impressed with you for daring to be different! And, I mean, if you’re not going to use it, then lose it. That’s just how it goes.
MAJOR gorgeous salad. I never know what to do with blood oranges other than EAT THEM as is, but this salad is a step in the right direction.
Ah! I’m so sad about the lack of winter in Tahoe right now. But happy you can save $ on your gym membership:) We accidentally went to the student gym to sign up on the first day of the semester (I had no clue it was the first day of classes…) and the line was wrapped around the building – oops! This salad is the perfect pairing for a winter place that feels summery – it’s bright and vibrant!
Ruh roh, a crowded gym’s not a fun one, for sure. The gym at the college I went to is freaking awesome, but the same thing: always crowded, except for when you don’t want to be there…like 1pm. Thank ya for the salad love, m’dear!