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Fresh Herbs & Citrus Salad

By Emily Smith

Bonjour! How was your weekend? Did you get outside to play? We were glad to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday my sister, Jess, came over to hang with us and her favorite nephew. It was great to catch up and also have her help out (I’m still healing from major back/neck pain). We went to the park and then had a lazy afternoon, spent watching a hilarious and crazy french movie during Little A’s nap – it’s called “De Vrais Mensonges”…have you seen it?
Yesterday, we did a few errands and finally picked up some gorgeous looking and smelling potted herbs from a small plant nursery nearby. We’re quite happy with our selection and now all we need is to install some shelves in our sunroom to display them on, out of our Curious Bunny’s reach.

Our sunroom smells invigorating and having all of the herbs right at arm’s reach inspired a deliciously green and flavorful salad. Additionally, I had a ton of kale in the fridge, so I mixed it in with regular green leaves and pesto perpetuo, basil, and bursts of citrus – the combination is unexpected and refreshing!

For the salad dressing, I crushed a few of the basil leaves, mixed in virgin olive oil, and squeezed half a lime. It created a thick and fragrant dressing, that brought out the richness of the kale leaves.

kale: excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K + 5 grams of fiber per cup

sesame seeds: a great source of calcium, magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber. It is said that they help to reduce inflammation in the body, and support respiratory health.

citrus fruits: the phytonutrients found in citrus fruit can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease, according to the World’s Healthiest Foods. (read more here)

Not a bad deal for a tasty salad! 

Wishing you a happy and healthy Monday :)

Fresh Herbs & Citrus Salad
Serves 4-6

2 cups of kale, chopped
3 cups of green leaf lettuce, chopped
4 leaves of fresh pesto perpetuo
3 leaves of fresh basil
1/3 cup sesame seeds
1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced

Lime & Herbs Dressing

3 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
1/3 cup virgin olive oil
1/2 lime, juiced

  1. Wash and prepare kale, lettuce, herbs, and fruit.
  2. Place kale and lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add grapefruit and fresh herbs (tear into smaller pieces).
  3. For the dressing, place chopped basil in the bottom of the mortar, crush with the pestle, allowing for the juices to come out. Add olive oil and lime juice. Mix and drizzle over salad.
  4. Top with sesame seeds.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Posted in Kale, Salads | 17 comments »

17 Comments on Fresh Herbs & Citrus Salad

  1. emily
    May 7, 2012 at 6:20 am (377 days ago)

    this looks delicious! my mom would LOVE this- i’ll have to send her over. thanks!!

  2. tinajo
    May 7, 2012 at 6:47 am (377 days ago)

    The salad looks great and the pics are beautiful! :-)

  3. Jess
    May 7, 2012 at 5:06 pm (377 days ago)

    I love having fresh herbs, they always smell amazing! I can’t even used the dried spices anymore…

  4. gobakeyourself
    May 7, 2012 at 6:08 pm (377 days ago)

    You cannot go wrong with fresh greens and a wonderful salad recipe :)
    Thank you for sharing!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  5. david smith
    May 8, 2012 at 4:05 am (377 days ago)

    It was a blast shopping for herbs and then brining in the warm weather with this kicking salad. I had a blast, thank you Sugar. Love you.

  6. Annie
    May 8, 2012 at 12:06 pm (376 days ago)

    This looks deeee LISH! I would never think to put grapefruit in a salad, but might have to try now :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

  7. Gild and Grace
    May 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm (376 days ago)

    Oh this looks delicious! Enjoy your week :)

    Abbey x

  8. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
    May 8, 2012 at 1:57 pm (376 days ago)

    Beautiful salad, Emily!! I wish I had a yard where I could grow fresh herbs, such is the life of living in apartment, but I can’t wait to be able to get a garden growing. Nothing beats fresh herbs!

  9. Jayme and Mendi
    May 8, 2012 at 2:31 pm (376 days ago)

    this looks so good!!

    Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

  10. Jessica @ Here(and)Now
    May 8, 2012 at 4:36 pm (376 days ago)

    mmmm my mouth is watering already! I shouldn’t have looked at this deliciousness so close to lunch!
    xx

  11. Emily Lynne {The Best of this Life}
    May 8, 2012 at 5:50 pm (376 days ago)

    Thank you all for your yummy comments on this salad – it was truly a fun creation that tastes so refreshing and makes you feel so darn healthy!! :)

    xo

  12. Alana
    May 8, 2012 at 8:49 pm (376 days ago)

    Mmm…looks fresh and yummy! I love kale in my salads, it has a distinct taste to it.

  13. Fashion Meets Food
    May 9, 2012 at 7:56 pm (375 days ago)

    I made a salad like this recently and loved it. I am definitely going to give this one a try! xo

  14. Laura
    May 15, 2012 at 6:52 pm (369 days ago)

    There is nothing quite like fresh herbs in a salad! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe on Allergy-Free Wednesdays!

  15. Amee Livingston
    May 18, 2012 at 12:51 am (367 days ago)

    Emily, this is such a gorgeous salad!!! So many nutritional benefits in this tasty blend. I love it!! I am voting for you, too, for the top 25!!! I think your blog is fantastic!! Your photography is beautiful, too. :)

  16. Tara
    May 19, 2012 at 4:21 pm (365 days ago)

    That is such a pretty salad!!! I have never heard of pesto perpetuo before. It has such a pretty varigated leaf.

  17. Meg
    August 8, 2012 at 1:55 am (285 days ago)

    Loving your blog! I’m loving all of your recipes! Xo
    megthecoolgirl.blogspot.com