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! ;)
Lisa 02.20.2013
Charleston is one of my favorite cities; never been to Austin. I love when you make these beautiful salads, yummy!! Keep them coming.
Lisa 02.20.2013
PS Also, check Jenna at Eat,Live,Run. She knows all about Charleston and Austin.
Alison Collette 02.20.2013
Your salad looks amazing, but I am not a salmon lover. Can you recommend another protien?
Ingrid 02.20.2013
One of our favorite places to eat in Charleston is Hyman’s Seafood. Delicious hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, crab dip, and of course fish :) Yummy!
Kira 02.20.2013
I was just in Charleston last weekend visiting my sister. Downtown is so much fun- you will love it! Can’t wait to see where you go. Basil is amazing Thai restaurant- you should definitely try it! Have fun!!
Cindy D. 02.20.2013
We visited family in Charleston a few years ago and my anut & uncle took us to Fleet Landing for dinner. We had a great meal there and I hadn’t seen it mentioned in the other comments.http://www.fleetlanding.net/
If the City Market is open, my aunt has a stall there: Dolores Southern Delights(read: CANDY)! Tons of neat stuff to check out in the market and in the shops around there. We walked around that area for days – so much to see! Have a great trip!
Kelly 02.20.2013
I loved Magnolia’s to eat at. Great, approachable food at a pretty reasonable price. If you have a car and the time, I highly recommend driving to Edisto. It is a tiny vacation area that is not commercialized in any way. That pretty much means the only chain-type business there is Piggly Wiggly. Otherwise, it’s you, your gorgeous vacation home (really great weekly rates!), dolphins swimming all around and the beach. Easily one of my favorite places that I’ve ever been.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking 02.20.2013
Wow, those beautiful colors! Love this wholesome and easy recipe, Kristin. Thanks for sharing!
Kirbie 02.20.2013
Well small town Sweetwater, TX is the home of the World’s Largest Rattlesnake and is coming up March 8-10, 2013. You could come eat some rattlesnake and it is plenty warm and dry! Ha.
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/culture-places/american-festivals-project/rattlesnake-roundup/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattlesnake_round-up
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetwater,_Texas
Lisa 02.20.2013
Oh and it was mentioned already but cake from Kaminskys is a must. Also, do a ghost tour or a carraige tour of the mansions in SC. Both are awesome. Folly beach food isnt all that great.
Lisa 02.20.2013
YOU have to have to have to go to HUSK. But make your reservations now because openings are hard to come by! Best restaurant i have ever been to, and the drinks are killer too. It was rated America’s Best New Restaurant in 2011…its amazing.
Tracy 02.20.2013
How about San Antonio? Have you been there before? It’s warm and full of history, which I know you love!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.20.2013
I know – I am dying to see the Riverwalk! Unfortunately it’s almost 15 hours to drive so I think we’ll have to save it for another trip. Definitely on my short list though! :)
Allyson Smith 02.20.2013
I HIGHLY recommend Magnolia’s! It was the best meal of our trip and i’d go again and again. The fried green tomatoes appetizer was amazing, and comes topped with tomato chutney, ham and served with grits… it was the perfect combination of southern flavors to start the meal. I had the fried chicken, one of their signature dishes, and it was literally the best fried chicken i’ve ever had. Comes with all the traditional sides… never had collared greens but OMG they are good! It was one of those meals that I was so sad when my stomach was full and I couldn’t keep eating. Seriously BEST THING EVER!
elizabeth 02.20.2013
the recs on Folly Beach are spot on!! Don’t miss it. 20 min from downtown C-ton. Taco Boy, Lost Dog cafe, + lot s of others on Center street. 82 queen st. is great. wish i was going to S.C. have fun.
Sarah 02.20.2013
As a fellow Iowa girl, currently living in Charleston, I’m so glad you’re coming to visit! So much to do, eat, see. Wonderful places to relax and watch the world go by (Washington Park, Porch swings down by the Pineapple Fountain). Visit Goat.Sheep.Cow on Friday or Saturday afternoons for $5 wine tasting and as many cheeses as you care to sample. Crepes at Queen Street Grocery. Gin and tonics at Husk Bar; they serve a local, small batch tonic that is to die for! Happy Hour at Social Wine Bar. Pecan pie and mimosas at Magnolias. Red’s Ice House on Shem Creek. 82 Queen courtyard dining. Sugar Bakeshop on Cannon; you MUST try their cupcakes! Many, many more. Rent a kayak and explore the inlets and marshes, post up at Folly Beach, or rent bikes and pedal around the peninsula. Hope you enjoy your stay!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog 02.20.2013
I’m dying to go to Charleston! Can’t wait to hear all about it. I’d also recommend Nashville for a weekend getaway. We drove from the Chicago area and it was about 8 hours – not too bad. Plus it’s fun to stop in Louisville or other places in KY.
Krystal 02.20.2013
For Charleston, SC – Try brunch or lunch at Poogan’s Porch and Dinner at Hush. Also you MUST get dessert from Kaminsky’s. Also Virginia’s get really good reviews. And I second the review about Jestine’s Kitchen. Ive heard it amazing just having been yet. If you want seafood Hyman’s! Best boiled peanuts are served before the meal
emily g. 02.20.2013
I haven’t had a chance to read through all the comments – but as a (former) Charlestonian I couldn’t help but not comment, so please excuse me if this is the department of redundancy department…
All around favorite – Stars (wines on tap! – and check out their herb garden on the rooftop terrace.)
Food – HUSK, HUSK & HUSK. Also: Wild Olive. A little off the beaten path, but oh man, Italian food to die for. Burgers at Sesame and pizza from Park Circle Pizza.
Seafood since this deserves its own category – The Wreck in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant, and The Ordinary downtown (which just finished as a semifinalist for a James Beard award).
Bar – I’m a 100% dive fan: Recovery Room or the Tattooed Moose.
Oh – and as a carriage tour driver during my college years, take one! I promise – those horses are SO loved. Any company down in the market is great and the drivers are all super knowledgeable. The Debauchery and Ghost walking tours are also highly recommended. Enjoy the Holy City!
kristin h. 02.20.2013
Austin is fabulous. If you are looking for music, food, and warmth. Austin is your place.
Shannon Ashley 02.20.2013
Since I live just outside of Austin, I’m going to recommend you go there or the Texas Hill Country! It is so beautiful and the weather has been pretty nice so far this year. February has been consistently in the high 60’s- nearly 80!
Susie 02.20.2013
Salmon question for you. I always buy the fresh stuff that is always so expensive. Do you buy the frozen? Do you have a good brand that you buy? Sometimes the frozen fish scare me.
Iowa Girl Eats 02.20.2013
You know I haven’t had much luck with frozen – even from reputable places like Whole Foods – it always seems to fall apart when I unthaw it. That said, what I like to do is stock up on fresh when there’s a sale at WF, or even at Costco which I think has great salmon, then portion and freeze myself. It usually works out great that way!