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Course: Mains
Keyword: kale, quinoa, salmon

Alton's Kale & Quinoa Bowl with Salmon

ACTIVE TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
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What to buy

  • 1 bunch lacinato or "dinosaur" kale, stems removed and cut into ribbons (about 4 ounces, stemmed)
  • 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, stems removed and roughly chopped
  • 2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced (If you don't get 2 tablespoons of juice, add enough water to get to that amount)
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
  • 4 ounces firm feta cheese, divided
  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted and lightly crushed, divided
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups cooked white quinoa
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries
  • freshly ground black pepper

What to Buy (If adding Salmon)

  • 2 1-inch thick skin-on salmon filets (around 5 ounces each)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil
ACTIVE TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Procedure

What To Do

  • Toss kale, parsley, and shallots together in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside for 10 minutes.
  • Puree the remaining olive oil, the lemon juice and zest, garlic, yogurt, 2 ounces of the feta, a third of the walnuts, and the salt in a food processor.
  • Pour the dressing over the greens, then fold in the quinoa, along with the rest of the walnuts, the cherries, and the remaining feta.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least an hour before serving with several grinds of black pepper.

What To Do (If adding Salmon)

  • Wrap the filets completely in paper towels while you heat a large cast iron skillet (a heavy stainless steel pan will do in a pinch but I'd avoid non-stick for this), over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  • When the skillet is hot, season the filets with the salt. Add the oil to the skillet and carefully tilt to evenly cover the bottom. When the oil shimmers, slide the filets in, skin-side down, pressing each filet firmly down with a flexible spatula or fish turner to ensure contact.
  • Reduce the pan heat to medium-low and cook for 3 minutes, then cover the skillet and cook another 2 minutes.
  • Carefully flip the filets, replace the cover and cook for another minute, or until done to your liking (I like mine at an internal temp of 130F).
  • To serve, slice each filet in half, place atop the kale & quinoa and enjoy.
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