Description
A vibrant and nutritious Avocado Kale Caesar Salad paired with crispy Sweet Potato Fries. The salad features a creamy avocado-based dressing with garlic, lemon, and Dijon mustard, tossed with chopped kale and topped with Parmesan and pepitas for a satisfying crunch. This recipe provides a fresh twist on the classic Caesar salad with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad and Dressing
- 1 avocado, divided
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional – see notes)
- 2 small cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed, chopped (5–6 cups)
- Parmesan cheese for topping (to taste)
- Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for topping (to taste)
Sweet Potato Fries (estimated)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Avocado Dressing: Cut the avocado in half. Reserve one half to add later to the salad. Place the other half in a blender with 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional), 2 small cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Toss Kale with Dressing: Place the chopped kale (5-6 cups) in a large bowl. Pour the avocado dressing over the kale and toss well to ensure the leaves are evenly coated.
- Add Toppings: Add a handful of pepitas and grated Parmesan cheese to the dressed kale. Toss again to combine evenly.
- Add Reserved Avocado: Cut the reserved avocado half into cubes and gently fold them into the salad to finish.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Fries: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the cut sweet potato fries with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until fries are golden and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the Avocado Kale Caesar Salad alongside the hot Sweet Potato Fries for a balanced and flavorful meal.
Notes
- The mayonnaise in the dressing is optional; omit for a lighter, vegan-friendly dressing.
- For extra crunch, toast the pepitas before adding them to the salad.
- You can substitute kale with other hearty greens like spinach or chard if preferred.
- Adjust the water in the dressing to achieve your desired consistency.
- Sweet potato fries can be made in an air fryer as an alternative cooking method.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad and Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Avocado Kale Caesar Salad, Sweet Potato Fries, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Salad, Easy Dinner Recipes, Kale Salad with Avocado Dressing
