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Kale + Shredded Brussels Sprout Quinoa Salad

A perfect dish for the holidays, this kale and shredded brussels sprout quinoa salad is easy to make, festive and absolutely delicious.

This year my Christmas is going to be just a leeetle bit different.

You see I come from a large Italian family and Christmas is by far our biggest and most celebrated holiday. We drink a lot, eat, even more, open presents and get really loud. It's a tradition.

My mom grew up just south of Philadelphia and my whole family still lives there, so for as long as I can remember we have made the trek all the way from VT down there to spend Christmas as a family. It's around an 8-hour drive and I can only imagine what it was like for my parents with two little kids and a car full of presents.

A healthy holiday salad with shredded brussels sprouts, kale, quinoa, walnuts and pomegranates -- it looks so festive and delicious!

But as we've gotten older, we've had less and less need for STUFF. Like I understand that Christmas is about giving and presents is part of the tradition, but I'm at the point in my life where a) I don't really need anything else, b) the stuff I do want is usually business-related (photography equipment, etc.) and I'm better off buying it myself for tax reasons, and c) when I want something and have thought about it for a long time, I usually just end up buying it.

So the idea of just accumulating more stuff just because it's Christmas seems kind of silly…and my family agrees.

So what are we doing instead? WE'RE GOING ON VACATION!

Finely shredded kale makes the perfect base for a detoxifying salad -- just slice it super thinly and add whatever toppings you'd like!

That's right, me, my brother, Matt, my brother's gf Samantha and my parents are all packing our bags and heading for the tropics!

In lieu of gifts, we're going to be spending 12 days on the island of St. Lucia – we rented a villa up in the mountains and plan to do lots of hiking, swimming, beaching and relaxing.Ā I'm not going to lie, it's going to be a bit strange celebrating Christmas with palm trees and no presents (and no big Italian feast), but I know we're just going to love it.

I honestly don't think my family has taken a trip togetherĀ like thisĀ since I was in high school….which was a looooong time ago. So this is going to be quite a treat!

The best way to shred brussels sprouts? With your mandolin! It makes it so easy and you quick -- and they're perfect for adding to salads!

Which brings me to a salad. Particularly, this shredded brussels sprout quinoa salad, which is loaded with kale, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and honey. It's tangy, sweet, crunchy, and perfect for the holidays!

Kale + Shredded Brussels Sprout Quinoa Salad with pomegranates and toasted walnuts -- quick, easy and perfect for detoxing during the holidays!

If we were at home and doing our normal Christmas, I would totally bring this salad to enjoy on the side. Plus, it never hurts to sneak in some veggies to a meal that is focused around ravioli!

So whether you're looking for a dish you can serve at Christmas or just want something delicious during this crazy time of year, you're going to adore this salad. And make it soon because pomegranates aren't in season too long and we need to enjoy them as much as possible while we can!

xo Alyssa

The perfect holiday salad -- Shredded Brussels Sprouts with kale, crispy quinoa, toasted walnuts and pomegranates

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Kale + Shredded Brussels Sprout Quinoa Salad

5 from 2 votes
This shredded brussels sprout quinoa salad which is loaded with kale, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, lemon, apple cider vinegar and honey. It's tangy, sweet, crunchy, and perfect for the holidays!
author: Alyssa
yield: 4 Servings
Kale + Shredded Brussels Sprout Quinoa Salad with pomegranates and toasted walnuts -- quick, easy and perfect for detoxing during the holidays!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb brussels sprouts
  • 2 cups finely chopped kale any variety; I used lacinato
  • 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt + pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife, shred the brussels sprouts. Place them in a large bowl and add the kale. Set aside.
  • Add quinoa and walnuts to a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 8 - 12 minutes until the quinoa is crispy and the walnuts are golden brown, stirring around every few minutes so they don't burn. (I found that covering the skillet helped)
  • While the quinoa and walnuts are toasting, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, vinegar and honey. Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Once the quinoa and walnuts have cooled slightly, add them, along with the pomegranate seeds, to the bowl with the vegetables and toss to combine. Add dressing and toss to coat.
  • Serve immediately or allow to sit in fridge for no more than 1 hour.*

Notes

I don't recommend making this salad too far ahead of time. I left mine overnight and the brussels sprouts started to smell pretty funky.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4200IU | Vitamin C: 152mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2.6mg
cuisine: American
course: Salad
Kale + Shredded Brussels Sprout Quinoa Salad with pomegranates and toasted walnuts -- quick, easy and perfect for detoxing during the holidays!
kale and shredded brussels sprout quinoa salad