“Doctored Up ” Sweet Kale Salad Kit + Recent Eats

In the last year or so I have found myself really enjoying various kale salad kits. There is something to be said for opening up the bag and dumping the greens in a bowl versus washing, de-stemming and chopping your own (especially with a new baby!). I also like how they typically include other greens such as cabbage, radicchio, shaved brussels sprouts or shredded broccoli stalks.

Lately, I have really been enjoying the “sweet kale” kit that come with pepitas, dried cranberries and poppyseed dressing. Several different brands make spins on this blend including Taylor Farms, Earthbound Organic, ALDI and Fresh Express.

Now, you guys know that I’m all about the toppings so I have a hard time leaving these salad kits alone. I like to “doctor them up” by adding additional ingredients and then I stick the leftovers in the fridge for an easy lunch the next day or two.

This was the Taylor Farms sweet kale salad kit and to it I added…

• Straight from the Root prepackaged diced sous vide butternut squash
• Love Beets diced fully cooked beets
• One avocado, diced

And if you want more protein, top your salad with any leftovers you have on hand like grilled chicken or baked salmon, or try something simple like salmon or tuna salad or sliced turkey from the deli.

Other yummy mix-in ideas include…

• fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries
• feta or goat cheese
• diced fresh tomatoes
• diced cucumbers
• sliced radishes
• more nuts or seeds
• and much, much more!

Hope that gives you some meal inspiration for the upcoming week! Now for some recent eats.

BREAKFAST

I’ve been all about overnight oats and coffee for the last few days.

My overnight oats blend is a simple one of plain homemade yogurt, almond milk, oats and diced banana soaked overnight. Topped with berries and almond butter the next day. I’ve also added a sprinkle of granola and some honey on some days.

LUNCH

I’ve been back on salads for the last week. I’ve eaten the kale salad you see in the photos above as well as spinach salads. This one was chopped spinach, grapes, tomatoes and salmon salad made with canned wild Alaskan salmon, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, plain yogurt and mayo.

DINNER

Before leaving Charlotte I made several meals out of this fresh rosemary pasta with meatball marinara sauce that a friend dropped off from Pasta & Provisions. Salad and focaccia on the side.

On my first night in Florida my dad made a dinner that’s different for me but was very delish! It was pierogis with pan-fried sausage. I had a salad on the side. The sausage was from a local place in Cordele, Georgia that my mom like to stop at when she’s driving through on her way to NC.

Tacos made with leftover grilled chicken, corn, rice, cheese, crema, salsa and avocado.

And this dinner was a favorite of mine that my dad made when I was growing up. He offered to make it for me this week and it is ultimate comfort food! Pan-fried cube steak with homemade gravy over rice and fresh peas on the side.

Homemade buttermilk biscuits on the side. My dad offered to do a homemade biscuit tutorial for the blog. What do you guys think? He says you have to commit to using real butter and buttermilk. 😉 But look at those layers!  His homemade biscuits are heavenly.

I won’t ETC today because I’m still on the ice cream train and you know what that looks like!

What’s one of your favorite meals/dishes that your family made growing up? 

Are you a biscuit lover? If so, do you like them plain with butter and/or jelly or made into a sandwich?