Kale Chickpea Fennel Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

The ingredients in this salad in combination really assert themselves with flavor and nutrition; the aromatic fennel, nutty quinoa, biting kale and tangy dressing wake up the palate and power you through the rest of your day.

Recipe from Christine Byrne on Buzzfeed.

Ingredients:
-1 bunch chopped kale
-1 cup quinoa
-3/4 cup chickpeas
-3/4 bulb fennel
-2 ounces Parmesan cheese
-salt and pepper
-2 tablespoons orange juice
-1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-garlic powder

  
Cook the quinoa (use microwaveable quinoa from the freezer section if available), then briefly saute the chopped kale in a few drops of oil to soften. Let these ingredients cool.

Trim the fennel and slice into thin strips. Toss fennel in a bowl with quinoa, kale, chickpeas, Parmesan, and some salt and pepper.

In a separate container mix orange juice, vinegar and olive oil with a pinch of garlic powder and a touch more salt. Stir well, then pour over salad ingredients and toss again. Serve with a dusting of additional Parmesan cheese.

Not a boring salad. Taste the salad after you mix it and think about the flavors; try to balance, and add more chickpeas if you need to tone it down a bit. It can become a pretty tasty and healthy meal.