Citrusy Cauliflower Kale Salad
Another really delicious summer salad to try is this Citrusy Cauliflower Kale Salad. I’ve started to love kale salad in the past year and have made a few really good kale salad recipes. This one is a little different because it calls for a technique called salt-curing or salt block cooking, in which foods can be prepared on Himalayan Salt Blocks. There is a book available by a guy named Mark Bitterman that teaches this technique a little better called Salt Block Cooking: 70 Recipes for Grilling, Chilling, Searing, and Serving on Himalayan Salt Blocks. I’ll be learning a little more about the process and filling you all in.
You can probably get away with not using the salt-curing technique for this recipe, but I’m told the addition of salt-cured lemon slices can elevate this recipe from bland to grand. The bright, briny flavor of the preserved lemon adds a fresh burst of flavor to an otherwise sedate dish. If you are using the technique, the lemons are really easy to make by pressing fresh lemon slices between 2 Himalayan salt blocks. Allow 2 days for the salt blocks to work their magic and you will be rewarded with a very tasty treat you’ll reach for again and again.
- 1 small zucchini washed, cut in half and uniformly sliced
- 1 small yellow squash washed, cut in half and uniformly sliced
- 1 head cauliflower washed and trimmed, florets only
- 1 head broccoli washed and trimmed, florets only
- 4 kale leaves stems and ribs removed, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 3 T. olive oil
- 12 grape tomatoes washed and cut in half lengthwise
- 6-8 large fresh basil leaves washed, rolled and cut into thin strips
- 4-6 salt-cured organic lemon slices very finely chopped including rinds
- ¼ cup dried cranberries [optional]
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 T. rice vinegar
- 1 T. fresh lemon juice
- 1 t. lemon zest
- 2 t. honey
- 2 t. Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste
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In a glass bowl, combine all vinaigrette ingredients and whisk until thoroughly combined. If possible, make in advance to allow the flavors to mingle. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Set aside.
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Place zucchini, squash, cauliflower, and broccoli in a large microwave-safe dish and add 2 T. water. Cover and microwave on high for about 5 or 6 minutes, or until crisp tender. Cook times will vary by microwave, so test after 3 minutes and adjust cook time accordingly. Do not overcook. Set aside to cool.
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In a large glass bowl, add torn kale and drizzle with olive oil. With your fingers, massage each piece of kale with your fingers until the olive oil is worked into the leaf. This will soften the kale and improve its taste. Add cooled zucchini, squash, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, basil, chopped preserved lemon and cranberries to bowl. Toss to combine. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to two days.
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Right before serving, add desired amount of citrus vinaigrette and toss to coat thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Have you heard of or tried this Salt Block Cooking technique? What are your thoughts about it?
I eat salads every day and I have to admit that it can get boring. This looks amazing! Thanks for the delicious inspiration.
I’m not usually a huge fan of kale because it can be so bitter but this looks delicious and I basically live off of salads.
Looks delicious. I’m not the biggest kale fan, but have been eating it more and more lately. This looks like a recipe to give a try! Looks really filling too!
I love me some kale! My friend and I are always trying to find new ways to use it. This looks yummy!
Sounds delicious. I’m looking for kale and cauliflower inspiration. I tend to eat it the same way all the time, which gets a bit boring.
Beautifully colored summer salad! I like the lemon zest touch!
Wow what a neat combo of a citrus with kale. Always great to have a new salad recipe idea. Appreciate you sharing this!
I love kale and citrus together in a salad. I need to go grocery shopping and get these ingredients. Sounds yummy!
This sounds like an amazing salad. I love kale when paired with stronger flavors and those fruits and veggies would be perfect.
Love the recipe for the salad dressing! Citrus is perfect for the summer and it’s light too. This salad recipe is a keeper for me, because I like preparing salads for lunch during the summer!
What a great summer salad! I love kale and cauliflower!
Great summer salad. I love kale with mushrooms.
I am not sure if I can find Kale in our local supermarket. I hope I can find some so I can try this recipe, looks yummy!
Oh, this is a nice salad recipe! I like to try it, kale is really healthy, so as cauliflower.
I like the fact that you made use of the produce that you normally find during this season, so fresh and very refreshing to eat during the day! I love making my own salad dressing as well, that way I get to choose the ingredients!
I am always looking for new salads to try. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make this for lunch this week.
That salad looks delicious. I’m always looking for new ways to make salads. I’ll be trying this one out soon. I do love kale too!
I personally don’t care for calilower. I also haven’t tried kale.
The citrus flavor does sound delicious. I might have to make a citrus salad.
I worked at the most amazing restaurant as a young adult. The salads spoiled me. So much yummy stuff filling up giant bowls of goodness. This sounds like a great one too. Bringing back memories!
Such a creative salad. I am always looking for new salads and this one looks awesome. I absolutely love cauliflower.
Oh I love this salad! Just like something I’d make myself, gotta try it!
Wow! This sounds so good! I would never have thought to pair cauliflower with kale. Yummy!
This would be great for my diet! I’m a veggies lover and I would love this one for sure, it’s really looks delicious and tasty. Save your recipe!
I love salads all the time! What a delicious way to have salad for summer and stay cool.
That looks delicious and hearty too. I’ve never put cauliflower in my salad now that I think about it.
I absolutely love cauliflower and use it often. Is great for digestive system too. I loved this recipe. It would be so great with any sort of meats.
I love the combo of cauliflower and kale. This looks so yummy! I have always been a huge veggie fan even since I was little.
I have never met a salad that I didn’t like. This one looks really tasty to me. I think a citrus salad sounds tasty right about now.
I have recently fell in love with Cauliflower. I haven’t tried Kale yet but this salad looks really interesting.
You can’t go wrong with this salad! I love summer because everything for them is so fresh and straight from the garden.