Skinni-Mini Kale Quinoa Pom Salad

photo 3photo 1Hey loves- hope you had a great weekend & an extra relaxing Sunday.

I had the day off Friday so I got up early & seized the dang day (Thank GOD I rotated back to day shift- those nights really mess up my moods/stomach/LIFE- anyone else know what I mean!?)

I ran a few errands and finally got to test-trial a salad I plan to make for Christmas Eve.

Oh me, oh my– this one’s a definite keeper. Plus it’s so beautiful & Christmas-esque. Think: pomegranates, goat cheese, and toasted pecans… yummm, keep listening!

photo 2INGREDIENTS

Kale

Pomegranate Seeds

Goat Cheese

Quinoa

Avocado

Toasted Pecans

Fresh Lemon

Simply Dressed Lemon Vinaigrette (my preference!)

DIRECTIONS

– Toast pecans in the oven on 350 deg. for just 5 minutes (watch carefully they will burn in the blink of an eye!)

– De-membrane the pomegranate (YouTube video here)

– Lay a big hefty bed of kale down, top with quinoa, pom seeds, goat cheese, avo, & toasted pecans. Squeeze a little fresh lemon and drizzle the vinaigrette. If you’re feeling like Betty Crocker, you can make your own homemade vinaigrette. But who has time for that on Christmas when there’s 20 other dishes in the making all at once?!

photo 4Whether you’re going to try this out for the holidays or not, you have GOT to taste test it at some time or another. The ingredients work so well together — plus it’s fresh & super light! The poms give it thee most amazing burst (literally) of flavor.

What are your favorite holiday recipes? Have you trialed any keepers? I’d love to hear them!

X, j