I am leaving for France today and am busy packing and trying to make sure that everything for the kids is in order while I am gone. It is always amazing to me how much we juggle as moms, but when you see it in ink, printed on a schedule that you have to hand to the super generous grandparents who have volunteered to stay with them, it is a little freaky! One of the ways that I prepared was to leave a refrigerator full of delicious healthy foods that I not only knew my kids would eat, but also that my parents would like.

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

Astonishingly (even to me) is how much Pia likes Kale salad. I don’t mean that in an obnoxious “my child just loooooves kale, doesn’t yours?!” kind of way. I mean, I think it’s weird, and Coco won’t go near it. But Pia has just gotten less and less picky over the last year. I suspect that because of her really restrictive allergies she finally realized that despite her trepidation, she would have to start trying new things or eat a very limited menu. Then, happily, she was surprised that some of this weird stuff (like kale) was actually pretty good.

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

And so this salad has been on a regular rotation lately, especially with the gorgeous cherries in season. And this happens to be one of the dishes that I can put in Tupperware, lightly dressed and it will last for days as kale is so hearty. And thank goodness there is a way to use up the kale I grew in my garden in an overly ambitious way (pounds of kale a day anyone?)

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

Anyways- this beautiful and delicious salad is great for the Summer nights and would be beautiful to serve to a crowd on 4th of July or whenever you want to feed friends. And I have to point out the Almond Ricotta Cheese that is on this salad. I am not in any way being endorsed or paid for this- I am just excited! I found this Kite Hill Almond Ricotta at Whole Foods and have been buying it steadily since. It is totally believable and really good. Great in texture and super creamy but still dairy free!!! The perfect addition to this salad.

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

Recipe: Kale Salad with Cherries and Almond Ricotta and Cherry Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 1 head curly kale, stemmed removed, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cups cherries cut from the pit
  • ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds
  • ¼ cup almond ricotta
  • Cherry Vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup cherries, diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon agave
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl or on a serving platter arrange the finely chopped kale. Top with the cherries, almonds and dollops of ricotta.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the Cherry Vinaigrette ingredients and drizzle over the top of the salad. Season to taste with kosher salt and garnish with edible flower blossoms if desired. Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

 

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I am leaving for France today and am busy packing and trying to make sure that everything for the kids is in order while I am gone. It is always amazing to me how much we juggle as moms, but when you see it in ink, printed on a schedule that you have to hand to the super generous grandparents who have volunteered to stay with them, it is a little freaky! One of the ways that I prepared was to leave a refrigerator full of delicious healthy foods that I not only knew my kids would eat, but also that my parents would like.

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

Astonishingly (even to me) is how much Pia likes Kale salad. I don’t mean that in an obnoxious “my child just loooooves kale, doesn’t yours?!” kind of way. I mean, I think it’s weird, and Coco won’t go near it. But Pia has just gotten less and less picky over the last year. I suspect that because of her really restrictive allergies she finally realized that despite her trepidation, she would have to start trying new things or eat a very limited menu. Then, happily, she was surprised that some of this weird stuff (like kale) was actually pretty good.

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

And so this salad has been on a regular rotation lately, especially with the gorgeous cherries in season. And this happens to be one of the dishes that I can put in Tupperware, lightly dressed and it will last for days as kale is so hearty. And thank goodness there is a way to use up the kale I grew in my garden in an overly ambitious way (pounds of kale a day anyone?)

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

Anyways- this beautiful and delicious salad is great for the Summer nights and would be beautiful to serve to a crowd on 4th of July or whenever you want to feed friends. And I have to point out the Almond Ricotta Cheese that is on this salad. I am not in any way being endorsed or paid for this- I am just excited! I found this Kite Hill Almond Ricotta at Whole Foods and have been buying it steadily since. It is totally believable and really good. Great in texture and super creamy but still dairy free!!! The perfect addition to this salad.

Kale, Cherry and Almond Ricotta Salad- Vegan

Recipe: Kale Salad with Cherries and Almond Ricotta and Cherry Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 1 head curly kale, stemmed removed, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cups cherries cut from the pit
  • ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds
  • ¼ cup almond ricotta
  • Cherry Vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup cherries, diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon agave
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl or on a serving platter arrange the finely chopped kale. Top with the cherries, almonds and dollops of ricotta.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the Cherry Vinaigrette ingredients and drizzle over the top of the salad. Season to taste with kosher salt and garnish with edible flower blossoms if desired. Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4