This hearty salad will fill you up and give you the power you need to thrive. Kale has become a very trendy food, especially for people interested in boosting their hair health. 

This nutritional powerhouse can be a little bitter, which turns some people off. We love the way this recipe uses a citrus vinaigrette to balance out the bitter with fresh orange, lime and lemon juices. The pop of pickled grape flavor also adds excitement.

Then to tone down all of the brightness in this salad, feta cheese, and hazelnuts step in. 

What you’re going to love most about this salad is the combination of ingredients that support hair health.

First, we need to discuss kale. Leafy and vibrant, kale contains ample amounts of vitamins A, C, and K in addition to potassium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and phosphorous. All of these are great for hair health and growth.

Iron, in particular, is a noted contributor to hair loss when the body is deficient. While taking supplements may help you boost levels of vitamins and minerals that are key to hair health, it’s better to consume them in fresh foods – like kale.

Zinc deficiency can also cause problems with your hair, leading to unsatisfactory growth, strength, and appearance. Luckily eating kale gives you a hefty dose of zinc.

The citrus found in the vinaigrette is full of vitamin C and you already know that vitamin C is great for your immune system. Did you know that vitamin C is also great for your hair?

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that binds with free radicals to diminish their damaging effects on your scalp and hair. It also helps you absorb the iron in the kale, so these ingredients work together to make this salad even more beneficial for your hair.

This is a world-class salad that your family and friends will want again and again but be prepared to put some work into getting it ready.

Kale salad with citrus vinaigrette

Ingredients:

3 cups kale with rib removed, chiffonade the leaves

2 tablespoons currants

2 tablespoons red grapes, halved

3 tablespoons pickled grapes

¼ gala apple, julienned to ¼ inch

6 fresh figs, thinly sliced

Pinch sea salt

Pinch pepper

2 tablespoons sheep feta cheese crumbles

2 tablespoons toasted hazelnuts, chopped

Dressing ingredients:

2 teaspoons shallot, chopped

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons each freshly squeezed orange, lemon, and lime juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon sea salt

Pinch black pepper

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Combine all dressing ingredients, except oil, in a blender and mix until smooth. Slowly drizzle in oil until it’s well incorporated.

In a metal mixing bowl, combine kale, currants, grapes, pickled grapes, apple and 1/3 of the citrus dressing. Toss by hand. Season with salt and pepper and toss again.

Remaining dressing can be stored in the refrigerator in an air proof container for later use.