Recipes || Kale Salad with Fig Preserve Vinaigrette

Hi, friends! As I sit here writing this I can't help, but wish we were all crowded around this lovely marble table that belongs to my friend, Katie, enjoying a salad together and catching up. Perhaps one day, that will be a real function of the internet?!  It kind of is already, isn't it? It's been a calm, rainy week here in Austin. The storm before the storm? We are moving into a new place this Friday and I am both so excited and also dreading moving and the bumpy transitions that can accompany it. On the other hand, I'm so looking forward to being closer to downtown, near our new house that is slowly progressing and able to start putting down more roots in our community.  I've finally returned to my regular scheduled meal planning after an unintended extended holiday hiatus.  I made these chicken enchiladas last night that were delish (although I wish I would have been more heavy handed with the salsa) and am making this dish tomorrow night.  As for lunch time? I've been going back to this tried and true kale salad favorite. Hearty kale that can stand up to my slow leisurely pace of eating and working and then eating and working and so forth, combined with creamy goat cheese, pomegranates, candied pecans for sweetness and this homemade fig preserve vinaigrette that might just be my new favorite salad dressing! Keep reading for the full recipe and feel free to leave what you're making in the comments! (I need all of the ideas I can get.)  What are you all up to this week?

 Winter Kale Salad with Fig Preserve Vinaigrette

Ingredients for the Salad:

• 6 cups chopped kale
• ¼ c. pomegranate seeds
• ¼ c. crumbled goat cheese
• ¼ c. candied pecans or walnuts
• salt + pepper to taste

Ingredients for the Dressing:

• ¼ c. olive oil
• 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ Tbsp. fig preserves
• salt + pepper to taste

Method:

Combine all salad ingredients. Toss or leave layered on top for a prettier look.

To make the dressing, whisk together all ingredients until well combined. Add to the salad just before serving and coat well.

Photography for Kale Salad by Katie Jameson for The Effortless Chic

Slate Cheese Board: Brooklyn Slate Co.