Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. Now that I am back and recovered from all of my travels, I am ready to get back on track with my eating. Don’t get me wrong, I loved sampling all of the local cuisine while traveling but a girl’s gotta fit into her running clothes! This Strawberry, Blueberry, Avocado, Quinoa and Kale salad is the perfect light summer salad you are looking for.
Strawberry, Blueberry, Avocado, Quinoa and Kale Salad
The strawberries and blueberries are in peak season right now and oh so sweet and delicious. I am enjoying how the sweetness of the berries complements the avocado and kale/ arugula blend in here. I threw in some cashews as well to get a little salty crunch in there. Added a squeeze of lemon and drizzle of balsamic and just like that, it’s magic in a bowl. The dressing is a simple Avocado oil and balsamic with a dash of salt and pepper. Easy peasy.
I have used a combo of kale and arugula here. Some people are put off by raw kale, I know. One of the tricks to make it more appealing raw is massage it. What do I mean by that? Simply chop your kale. I like to use a Mezzaluna chopper to do this as it really chops it up. I use mine almost everyday for salads and to chop up fresh herbs. Then sprinkle a bit of olive/avocado oil and a dash of kosher salt. Get your hands in there for a minute and rub it together. Allow to sit for a few minutes while you prep your other ingredients. Makes a world of difference-trust me.
This strawberry, blueberry, avocado, quinoa and kale salad makes a light and healthy lunch or perfect side to dinner. My recipe serves 2 generously. If you decide to store half for later, simply leave the dressing on the side. Vegan, dairy free and gluten free.
Strawberry, Blueberry, Avocado, Quinoa and Kale Salad
A sweet and savory salad that hits all the taste buds. Vegan, easy
Ingredients
- For salad:
- 2 Cups of kale-chopped
- 2 Cups of Arugula
- 1 Cup of fresh strawberries-sliced
- 3/4 Cup of fresh blueberries
- 1 avocado- sliced
- 1/2 Cup cashews
- 1 Cup of cooked Quinoa (cooled to room temp)
- Dressing:
- salt and pepper to taste
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- drizzle of avocado or olive oil
- drizzle of high quality balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- chop kale and massage w oil & salt set aside
- prep and assemble all salad ingredients and add kale
- drizzle on dressing ingredients and enjoy
What’s in your salad this week? Do you like fruit with greens?
I’ve seen strawberry and spinach salad before but arugula is a great idea. The sweetness of the fruit and the bitterness of the arugula would pair well together.
Thanks I loved the contrasting flavors as well
Welcome back from travelling. Have you recovered?
As usual, great recipe.
Not my thing but still appreciated you sharing.
Thanks and you will have to read my weekly run down to hear about my recovery 🙂
Now I know what I’m bringing for lunch this week! Thanks again for another yummy recipe!
Well that made me smile! Hope you enjoy and have a fantastic week
Yum! I love fruit in a salad and this sounds delicious! I haven’t had kale lately for some reason, but I do massage it before using it in a salad. It’s so much better that way!
I don’t often put fruit in salad but when I do, I am happy too
I love all these ingredients paired together! Fresh summer berries jut add a pop of perfection to summer salads.
I agree they are a great addition this time of the year
Love this salad combination. Also perfect with all the tasty summer produce popping up!
Yes all the berries are so good right now
What a fresh summer salad! I will have to make this when the strawberries are in season for picking!
Thanks! They are all so good right now we can’t seem to keep them in the house
Wow. What a great combination! I love the quinoa and cashews too.
How often do you get groceries? Where do you get your great produce?
I get most of it at Giant or whole foods. I am embarrassed to say that I go to the store 3-4 times a week to replenish especially when the kids are at home
This sounds yummy, and I love that you have all the fruit and cashews in there 😉
Thanks I am a huge cashew fan!
I cannot get enough of the blueberries and strawberries right now! Interesting about the massaging technique – I’ll have to try it as I’m so not a fan of raw kale. Thanks for the suggestion!
It really works give it a try!
This is my kind of summer salad. Love the berries with avocado in here. Yum!
Mine too I love to eat seasonally
I’ve just started to add more fruits to my salads and I love it! Definitely adds a touch of sweetness.
It is a nice change and great for summer
I love salad in the summer time.
Me too it’s the best
Oh my goodness that salad looks amazing! How do you cut the avocado so perfectly?
Sometimes you just get lucky!
Salads are my absolute favorite, especially once the warm weather hits. This sounds worthy of a summer repeat!
Thanks so much hope you give it a try!
I love a good salad, had a huge one today, and this one looks amazing! I have everything to make it except the kale and love the combo of berries and avocado!
Thanks I am loving the berry and avocado combo lately too
I wouldn’t think to do the berries with the avocado, but that’s what I love about your blog – you always introduce these great flavor combinations!
Thanks so much! I loved how well they paired together
Arugula is my favorite green. I eat it constantly in salads and sometimes just by the handful LOL. I tend not to like fruit in my salads though. I’d rather throw on some pickled veggies and an egg for a more savory bowl.
I am usually more of a savory salad eater myself. The summer fruit is just so delicious right now
This looks so fresh and delicious! I love the combo of flavors here, can’t wait to try it!!!
Thanks so much hope you give it a try!
I love salads with fruit during summer and this one looks so, so good! Loving all the colorful produce
Thanks I had fun mixing up the summer produce
Hi!! This recipe is totally up my alley again! I love the addition of the quinoa! We eat so many of the same foods!
We are eating pals for sure! One day we will have to do it in person 🙂
I definitely need to buy avocado oil and start using it. This salad looks absolutely perfect. So many delicious flavors in one bowl. SO healthy too. Definitely making this!
Thanks so much hope you enjoy
I have everything I need to make this salad today—that’s always a huge win. If there are summer berries, I’m all in!
The berries are just so good right now aren’t they?
For some reason I never think to put avocado and fruit together, even though I love avocado and fruit – and avocado is technically a fruit…I think? Lol, this sounds really interesting and perfect for summer!
They are a delicious combo!
Yum, that looks delicious!
Thanks so much I sure loved it!