Raise your hand if you’re coming down with a wicked case of cabin fever!
These days I feel like I look like Jack Nicholson from the Shining – wild haired and wide eyed from being shut in against the howling wind and freezing temperatures, while peering out from behind the curtains – minus the whole horrific plot, obviously. A forecasted 6-8 inches of snow coming our way on Thursday isn’t helping matters much, either!
Ben and I have a fun trip planned to Charleston, SC in a little over a month, which I am considering creating a countdown chain for because I am so excited. I have repeatedly and excessively stated over the past couple of years (sorry!) that Ben and I really fell in love with the culture of New Orleans when we visited in 2010, and are excited to experience another southern staple – the city of Charleston. Taking restaurant/activity recommendations…NOW!
Anyways, I feel like I can’t even wait until then to get out of here! We’re trying to plan a long weekend getaway somewhere warm and within a 10-12 hour drive for some time in the next couple of weeks. Any ideas? I’d love to go to Austin (keepin’ it weird!) and Ben’s rooting for Memphis – I think because it’s such a hardcore music town and he’s dying for a bango. I’d go for the BBQ, I suppose.
Until we figure it out, I’m continuing to weave bright, light dishes into our weekly meal plan to remind me that warmer days and places are definitely ahead. Onward, right? Asian Kale & Salmon Salad is definitely helping the cause.
If the saying’s true that you are what you eat, then we’ll all be health goddesses after devouring this salad which combines antioxidant rich kale and red cabbage with vibrant veggies like carrot, cucumber, and green onions, tossed in a Asian-citrus dressing.
Salmon fillets, which are high in fatty acids that can help boost your mood, are marinated in the salad dressing then quickly seared and placed on top.
Sweet orange slices seal the deal and add a sweet burst of flavor to this yummy salad that is definitely classified as feel-good food!
Start the Asian Kale & Salmon Salad by making the salmon marinade and salad dressing which is one and the same. Yeehaw for double duty sauces! In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine 2-1/2 Tablespoons rice vinegar, and 2 Tablespoon orange juice – store bought or fresh squeezed, your call.
Next add 1 Tablespoon lime juice and 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce.)
Adding some Asian flavah is 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (a little goes a long way) and 2 teaspoons honey. If you measure the honey after the oil, it will slide right out.
Finally add 1 clove garlic and 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger. If you don’t have fresh, 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger would do in a pinch!
Whir the ingredients together then set it aside while you prep your salmon. You’ll want 2-4oz fillets.
Season the salmon filets with salt & pepper then place into a ziplock baggie or shallow dish and add 2 Tablespoons dressing. Let them marinate on the counter while you get started on the salad portion of the program!
In a large bowl add 6 cups washed and dried kale. I rip mine from the tough stems then tear them into pretty small pieces.
Now get your massage on! Ben can’t convince me to massage his feet, but for some reason I really like massaging kale. I guess those two things aren’t really the same though. Anyways! Use your fingertips and hands to really get in there and massage the kale. It will start smelling kind of grassy (don’t worry it doesn’t taste like it) and whither down significantly. After 2-3 minutes the kale should be tender enough to eat. Just give a piece a try – if it’s not there, just keep massaging.
Time to add the crunchy toppings, including 1 cup shredded purple cabbage (psst – juice the leftovers!) and 1 peeled, seeded and chopped cucumber.
1 shredded carrot and 2 chopped green onions into the pool…
Finally, segment 1 large orange or 2 small oranges into the bowl. Here’s a tutorial for segmenting oranges >
Drizzle in the remaining salad dressing then toss everything to combine.
The last step is to saute the salmon in a nonstick-sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on one side, then 1-2 minutes on the other.
Divide the salad between two bowls, top with the seared salmon, then drizzle 1 Tablespoon chopped almonds on top. Voila, Asian Kale & Salmon Salad is served!
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Asian Kale & Salmon Salad
Description
Asian Kale and Salmon Salad is chock-full of vibrant, nutrient-rich veggies and tossed with a zingy Asian-citrus dressing.
Ingredients
- 2-4oz salmon fillets
- salt & pepper
- 1 bunch kale (about 6 cups,) torn from stem then into small, bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded & chopped
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1 orange, segmented (or 2 small oranges)
- 1 Tablespoon almonds, chopped
- For the salmon marinade/salad dressing:
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic
- salt & pepper
Directions
- Blend marinade/salad dressing ingredients together in a food processor or blender. Season salmon fillets with salt & pepper then place into a ziplock bag or shallow dish and add 2 Tablespoons dressing. Marinate on the counter while you prepare salad.
- In a large bowl add kale then massage with hands and fingertips until tender, about 3 minutes. Add cabbage, green onion, cucumber, carrot, orange segments, and remaining dressing then toss to combine and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat then spray well with nonstick spray. Add salmon skin side down then cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip, peel skin off then discard, and then cook for 1-2 more minutes. Divide salad between bowls then top with salmon and sprinkle chopped almonds on top.
Notes
Adapted from Clean Eating Mag
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredient list here – many items are fridge and pantry staples. Besides, we’re worth it! ;)
Tessa 02.20.2013
You guys should come to Nashville for a weekend getaway! Country music, great BBQ, wineries, breweries, River life, etc. So much to see and do.
Ashley 02.20.2013
I live in Columbia, SC and love going to Charleston! We were just there a few weeks ago. Definitely do a carrage tour. We had an awesome tour guide and I learned alot with out it being boring!
Also, try out the Blind Tiger Pub. Awesome food and drinks!
Have a great time!
Caitlin in MD 02.20.2013
I am going to be in Charleston in a little over a month, too! I’m doing the Cooper River Bridge Run (a 10K) on April 6. My brother lives on Folly Beach so I will be staying with him :)
Jess 02.20.2013
This looks incredible. I’ve recently started eating salmon so new idea’s are always welcome! I now need to convince Dave that he likes Kale. Wish me look!
Jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com 02.20.2013
We’ve been OBSESSED with Luann’s kale salad for a while now, having it at least once a week, so this is just the recipe I’ve been waiting for to mix things up!
I’m stir crazy, too. We have a weekend break booked in for March and it can’t come fast enough!
Sara W. 02.19.2013
So excited you are coming to Charleston! We have lived here 23 years and it never gets old! I second all the great recommendations, so far. Can’t wait to see what you choose and of course your wonderful pics and narrative. I have really enjoyed your recipes.
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 02.19.2013
I love it! It looks like a confetti bomb went off on your plate. This dish is SO pretty! Oh and you MUST go to Austin but if you do you must reserve a few days on Lake Travis. It’s gorgeous! Then you need a boat ride to Shades a local restaurant in the middle of the lake. Dare to throw a french fry over the railing and you will find a million humongous catfish begging for more.
Kenzie 02.19.2013
I LOVE Charleston!
Food: POOGAN’S PORCH: SO delicious and rumor has it the place is haunted.
SLIGHTLY NORTH of BROAD: Fancified, incredible food with impeccable service.
Sights: CALHOUN MANSION-if you are into antiques, the guy who lives there is a fancy antique hoarder. You will never see a collection of such insane magnitude anywhere else.
PALMETTO CARRIAGE TOUR: They are the best and it’s charming. Start with this and you can scout for places you might want to walk to later.
ORGINAL PUB TOUR of CHARLESTON: If you like to see how a town drinks (and you drink, too) also full of interesting history, crazy old bar stories.
HISTORY and/or GHOST TOUR: I have yet to meet a tour guide I didn’t like in Charleston. Guides there are proud of their history and take their jobs very seriously. The ghost tour was the right mix of fun and creepy and anyone doing a general walking history tour is going to make it worth your while.
HOTELS: We’ve stayed at the VENDUE INN and loved it. Rooms with some personality and super friendly staff. If you want to get really fancy, stay at the MARKET PAVILION HOTEL. And if you don’t stay there, at least go to the rooftop bar for a drink. Also, it seems like every hotel in Charleston has a happy hour wine reception and or cookies/desserts later in the evening. Don’t miss out!
Have fun!
Kate 02.19.2013
OMG YOU’RE COMING TO CHARLESTON?!?! I LIVE IN CHARLESTON! If you guys have time, I’d love to meet up for lunch/brunch one day! Definitely have to do the obligatory carriage ride through the city, visit the open air market, a visit to the Battery/Rainbow Row, maybe go for a run across the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. OH and the restaurants! Where to begin even?! Husk is definitely a top choice, along with O-Ku for sushi, FISH for seafood with an Asian flair, Poogan’s Porch for a real Southern brunch, sheesh, the choices are endless. Honestly, please just spend a day wandering up and down King Street. SO MANY HIDDEN GEMS. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the beautiful city which I am lucky enough to call my home! Please, don’t hesitate to email you and I can give you a more thought out response of things to do, send you some links to places to eat/things to do, etc! Where are you staying? Downtown I assume?
natalie@thesweetslife 02.19.2013
We love Charleston! Went there a few years ago and are returning this summer!
As for another trip, we’re going to Austin in April because I’ve never been (Husband has and loves it!). I live in STL and highly recommend a weekend trip here–there is seriously so much to do and a ton of great restaurants.
I was in Memphis last year and was kind of umimpressed. It was decent (great BBQ) but I like Nashville a ton more!
If you want recommendations for any of these places let me know!
AC 02.19.2013
I’d second that nashville vote for a weekend get-away… it’s very do-able from des moines. and, actually, there’s a super cute area called grand rivers ky, with really great b&b’s… kind of galena-esque! We’ve been twice- once as a pass-thru & once as the official destination!
I also second the st. louis comment (same person, i think!) the zoo is free! what’s not to love about that!
Kate Bentley 02.19.2013
Pearlz is the best and it also Reese Witherspoons favorite restaurant. Fish tacos and hush puppies, delish!
Ellie 02.19.2013
You without a doubt absolutely have to go to Basil, I think you would LOVE it! http://eatatbasil.com/ I also highly recommend Cru Cafe for lunch http://crucafe.com. My BFF is from Charleston and is a major foodie. These are some of her favorite places and we always hit them up when I’m in town.
Hillary 02.19.2013
I honeymooned in Charleston and absolutely can’t wait to go back! Highly recommend Toast (http://www.toastofcharleston.com/) for an amazing breakfast! There’s also a dessert place called Kaminsky’s (attached to a steakhouse in the market area- for the most RIDICULOUS desserts you’ve ever eaten. We regretted not trying Husk, which had rave reviews.
Sigh.. Southern comfort at its best! :)
Aly 02.19.2013
Bowen’s Island Restaurant is QUITE an experience. :)
julia 02.19.2013
I love Charleston!!! I spent most of my time at the beach but Poe’s tavern is a fun bar/pub that has great food and great drinks!http://www.poestavern.com/
I also love salmon salads–there is one at Panera that I always get that tastes awesome. Can’t wait to try this out!
Lauren S 02.19.2013
As a native South Carolinian and Charleston resident, I can definitely say we have some amazing places to eat! Of course the “tourist traps” are always popular destinations (Jestine’s, Hyman’s, etc) but I recommend some of “locals” places – try Fulton Five or Lucca Trattoria for amazing Italian and great ambiance; Oak Steakhouse for all things wonderful; or Husk if you want some traditional Southern fare. Get drinks at the Gin Joint or Cocktail Club. Have brunch at Fat Hen and lunch at Rutledge Cab Company or Butcher and Bee. Then finish it all off with a run along the Battery! Feel free to email me for more suggestions, and most of all, have fun!
Lindsay 02.19.2013
1. This salad looks crazy-good!
2. I’m currently living in Charleston. I third the farmer’s market, if it’s up and running by then. I haven’t been on a carriage tour, for shame!, but am dying to and highly recommend one. The 2 best plantations to visit are Magnolia and Middleton. Magnolia is more reasonable, but Middleton is amazing, and the plantation house is older, if memory serves me. As far as restaurants, good luck deciding…there are so many that are so good! If you ever come back, come in Jan. or Aug. when they do restaurant week. Great deals at amazing restaurants. Anyway, I recommend Jestine’s Kitchen, the restaurant at Middleton plantation (not downtown), Hank’s, Fleet Landing, and Cork and Sesame Burger are also very good, but also not downtown. There’s so much more; you’ll love it here!
Rethea 02.19.2013
I made your kale fried rice twice in the last two weeks. My husband and I love it.
Amy D 02.19.2013
I LOVE Charleston! You have to eat at Hyman’s, great seafood!