Go Back
a colorful bowl of healthy salad with apple wedges, mango and kale

Crispy Quinoa Kale Salad with Feta and Oranges

Crispy Quinoa Kale Salad with Feta and Oranges combines crunchy quinoa, tender kale, juicy oranges, and creamy feta in a fresh, flavorful salad perfect for any meal.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the salad
  • 1 large bunch light kale preferably baby or light-green leaves
  • 1 small head lettuce chêne oak leaf lettuce
  • ½ cup cooked quinoa well drained and dried
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 mango
  • 1 red apple
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 200 g button white mushrooms
  • 200 g feta cheese
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • Olive oil for frying quinoa
For the apple soaking water
  • Cold water
  • A drizzle of lemon juice
For the dressing
  • ½ tsp mustard
  • ½ tsp grainy mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp salt
  • A pinch of ground black pepper
  • tbsp apple vinegar
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh orange juice

Method
 

Prepare the greens
  1. Start by tearing the kale by hand into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Choose light-colored kale, as it is softer and more tender. Dark kale is usually thicker and needs more massaging.
  3. Wash and dry the lettuce chêne, then tear it gently by hand.
  4. Place both greens in a large salad bowl.
Fry the quinoa
  1. Heat a small pan over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil.
  2. Add the cooked, well-dried quinoa and fry, stirring constantly, until golden and crispy.
  3. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Prepare the fruits
  1. Cut off the top and bottom, peel completely, then carefully remove all the white inner skin and seeds. Cut into clean segments.
  2. Peel the mango, remove the pit, and cut into cubes.
  3. Prepare a bowl of cold water with a drizzle of lemon juice.
  4. Cut the apple into slices or cubes and immediately soak them in the lemon water to prevent oxidation and browning.
  5. Drain before assembling.
Prepare the vegetables
  1. Cut the cherry tomatoes diagonally.
  2. For the button mushrooms, cut each mushroom in half, then cut each half into four wedges.
Prepare the dressing
  1. In a small jar, add all the dressing ingredients.
  2. Close the lid tightly and shake well until fully emulsified.
Cut the feta cheese
  1. Dip a sharp knife into hot water, wipe it dry, then cut the feta into cubes.
  2. Repeat dipping the knife as needed to ensure clean cuts without crumbling.
Assemble the salad
  1. Add all the prepared fruits and vegetables to the greens.
  2. Drizzle with the dressing and gently toss.
  3. Top with feta cheese cubes, then sprinkle the fried quinoa over the salad.
  4. Finish with a light sprinkle of chia seeds.

Video

Notes

If storing the dressing for later:
Use ⅔ olive oil + ⅓ corn oil instead of only olive oil.
Add the fried quinoa just before serving to keep it perfectly crunchy.