Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Wrap
January 2nd, 2013
Ok. This year I am really making a pledge to take care of myself. Not some paltry “oh, I will work out every day” nonsense that I can be sure not fulfill, but truly a heart felt intention to feel better.
2012 was so intensely busy and in many ways truly exhausting, and I feel like I spent the whole year in a perpetual state of eyeball burning tired (you know what I mean?). In 2013 I want to get more sleep, uh, or at least continuous sleep! (so if you all could talk to my kids about their sleep habits, that would be great) choose more salads and soups over cookies and cakes (ha ha, we’ll see about that!) and take a few more moments to myself (as ALL moms of young children would like).
But my biggest hope for 2013 is to learn to love exercise again. It has been years since I regularly exercised, and I for once am not even thinking about it for vanities sake, but for how it will make my body feel. It seems like this will be the most effective way to gain energy and reduce stress in the crazy year to come. What’s your favorite exercise? Any tips on getting back into the game? I have a feeling it’s not going to be pretty!
What is your New Year resolution this year?
In celebration and support of the many, many people who are trying to improve their health in the New Year, this January I am going to be posting really delicious new dishes that are as healthy and fresh as they are tasty. I promise I won’t be posting cookies by next week per usual! I actually prepared for this :)
Lets start with this CRAZY recipe for Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken. It was so good on it’s own, but then I stuffed in a wrap and it became even better.
You might be grimacing at the thought of all that roughage. I’m not really sure how you feel about kale? But lets get something straight: I loathe Kale. Or at least that is what I thought. I have tried and tried to enjoy “IT” to no avail. But now I think I was just doing it wrong. Cause this was AMAZING!!!!
I would enjoy this Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken on a normal night, or throw it together in a lavash bread wrap or large tortilla for lunch. I can’t tell you how good this is- please, please try it!
By the way- please let me know if you have any healthy requests and also please share your kale recipes- I had some great suggestions on facebook, and now I am ready to start expanding my Kale repertoire!
In a bowl, mix together the half of a coddled egg, minced garlic, mustard, honey, lemon juice and olive oil. Whisk until you have formed a dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
( By the way- this is what a coddled egg looks like )
Add the kale, chicken and cherry tomatoes and toss to coat with the dressing and ¼ cup of the shredded parmesan.
Spread out the two lavash flatbreads. Evenly distribute the salad over the two wraps and sprinkle each with ¼ cup of parmesan.
Roll up the wraps and slice in half. Eat immediately
Recipe: Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Wrap
Ingredients
- -8 ounces grilled chicken, thinly sliced
- -6 cups curly kale, cut into bite sized pieces
- -1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- -3/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- -½ coddled egg (cooked about 1 minute)
- -1 clove garlic, minced
- -1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- -1 teaspoon honey or agave
- -1/8 cup fresh lemon juice
- -1/8 cup olive oil
- -Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- -2 Lavash flat breads or two large tortillas
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, mix together the half of a coddled egg, minced garlic, mustard, honey, lemon juice and olive oil. Whisk until you have formed a dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 2. Add the kale, chicken and cherry tomatoes and toss to coat with the dressing and ¼ cup of the shredded parmesan.
- 3. Spread out the two lavash flatbreads. Evenly distribute the salad over the two wraps and sprinkle each with ¼ cup of parmesan.
- 4. Roll up the wraps and slice in half. Eat immediately
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 2
It seems this is quite a few people’s wish for 2013. Maybe the idea of feeling healthier is more realistic than looking like an airbrushed model. I’ve been thinking about exercise and why I detest it so much after being a very active kid. The things I loved doing as a child involved wheels or music or water. I only enjoy walking in places where there is an actual purpose for walking, like small towns, out at the stables, that sort of thing. I inherited a dog that demands to be walked, and forces me rain or shine, which always makes me feel better. My mom took up tap dancing in her sixties and ended up a with a fantastic pair of legs, as did all the older ladies in the group. I did take up Nordic pole walking and it does amp up a simple walk, although the neighborhood high school kids find it hilarious and yell out “Hey, lady, did you know there isn’t any snow?”
5:12 am on January 2nd, 2013
I hate kale too, but because my new years resolution is to be more adventurous-i will try this…..thank you I think and Happy New Year to you also!
5:37 am on January 2nd, 2013
What an excellent idea! I adore Kale, but I’ve never thought to tuck it into a wrap!
8:09 am on January 2nd, 2013
Great recipe to start the new year!
8:20 am on January 2nd, 2013
Vicki- that is so true! Tap dancing gives me something to think about. Many many people have been trying to talk me into spinning which sounds really really scary. I will have to find some kind of way to do indoor excercise since it rains so so much here.
8:21 am on January 2nd, 2013
Its hard to change my mind about a food- that is for sure- but I am telling you, you will really enjoy this way of eating kale. Another thing I have realized is that I don’t do that super dark green long leafed green. I like the little pre-torn curly leaves that are at trader joes. They just remind me of crunchy cabbage or lettuce.
8:23 am on January 2nd, 2013
Thanks so much Lori! Portable nutrition!
8:24 am on January 2nd, 2013
I really like the sound of a kale caesar salad!
8:49 am on January 2nd, 2013
A thought just came to me that with your cookery talent, pairing with a home personal trainer would make a fabulous series. Then you could clue in the rest of us!
8:51 am on January 2nd, 2013
Gorgeous! This is lunch tomorrow. :)
9:13 am on January 2nd, 2013
I wish Vicki! That would be awesome!
9:14 am on January 2nd, 2013
You can do totally do it!!! This looks awesome – so healthy!
happy new year!
9:19 am on January 2nd, 2013
good luck on your journey, Heather to eat better and exercise more (and sleep). glad you are giving Kale a chance…I think you will become good friends.
9:29 am on January 2nd, 2013
I need to make this and eat it every day. Looks so good!
10:02 am on January 2nd, 2013
Such a healthful way to kick off the new year!!!
10:02 am on January 2nd, 2013
lol! THanks Esi!
10:02 am on January 2nd, 2013
Thank so much Susan!! I will keep everyone posted on whether I can keep up with the goals!
10:03 am on January 2nd, 2013
Thanks Naomi!!
10:03 am on January 2nd, 2013
gorgeous photos and this would totally change my mind about kale too! it’s funny, i’ve never had kale before >.< i really need to especially in a flavorful & filling wrap such as this! xo
10:39 am on January 2nd, 2013
This looks perfect Heather! I’d gladly enjoy this everyday :)
11:33 am on January 2nd, 2013
from a true gym-hater here, it is hard when outdoor exercise isn’t an option. I also have a hard time getting motivated as I have so little free time. I found I love pilates on the reformer machine. I think it gives maximum benefits in a concentrated amount of time. And its a real challenge, but feels more intentional than spinning on a bike or mindlessly doing the elliptical trainer. I also love yoga, but the more “aerobic” type. I find those types of exercise kind of ease you into them, then get you breathing, then before you know it, you end up with better balance, posture and start to feel better all around! Best of luck in whatever you try!
12:13 pm on January 2nd, 2013
My goal for New Years is to start setting goals. I have no suggestions as to anything fitness related as I struggle with making time for fitness myself. I hope that someone out there has some good ideas for getting motivated. I do love to eat healthy though, so I absolutely adore this wrap, so packed full of nutrition and tossed in that yummy dressing!
12:48 pm on January 2nd, 2013
LOVE this wrap! Looks like the perfect way to start 2013
1:58 pm on January 2nd, 2013
Thanks Gaby!
2:07 pm on January 2nd, 2013
Thank you so much Kari! I will let you know if some fantastical advice comes my way :)
2:08 pm on January 2nd, 2013
Thank you so much Melissa!
2:09 pm on January 2nd, 2013
What great flavors to add to kale! I love this, Heather! Happy new year!
4:33 pm on January 2nd, 2013
You. Did. Not. Just. Do. This.
I’m in love.
4:33 pm on January 2nd, 2013
Baby kale is now available pretty much everywhere, so that’s what I’ll try to use when I make this. It just LOOKS healthy. Here in the Northeast you will sometimes see a cars with deep green bumper stickers that say in white letters “Eat More Kale”. There’s this crazy guy in Vermont that makes and sells the bumper stickers and T-Shirts, too. They’ve been around for years-kind of an inside joke in Vermont. Who’d ever have thought kale would be cool someday?
4:42 pm on January 2nd, 2013
Thank you so much Cassie! happy New Year to you too!
4:52 pm on January 2nd, 2013
WOW mouthwatering! Can’t wait to try this. Only thing is, I have an egg intolerance :-( I hope it’s just as yummy without it. Any substitutions anyone can recommend? Happy new year!
6:51 pm on January 2nd, 2013
No problem Michelle! The egg is just for thickening- maybe just add a bit of extra mustard. And happy new year to you too!
9:54 pm on January 2nd, 2013
I think my goal is to keep up with the goals I set last year. Kinda boring. I know. :) I could take a big bowl of this salad today. Yum!
7:45 am on January 3rd, 2013
I hope you have a great 2013, this is a wonderful way to start the year! Wish I had this for lunch today!
10:19 am on January 3rd, 2013
Love this kale wrap – you could take it a step further and use the kale as the wrap… I like to hide kale in my morning frozen berry smoothie – it’s so healthy and delicious and even the kids drink it up not knowing it has TJ’s Power Greens in it.
2:18 pm on January 3rd, 2013
This looks amazing. Way better than any restaurant or cafe!
4:28 pm on January 3rd, 2013
This looks amazing!! I am going to make it for lunch today. I was wondering why should we eat immediately? I wanted to make it for work but I will rethink this if it won’t taste as good in 2 hours!
9:10 am on January 23rd, 2013
I do have to say that the kale is so sturdy that I kind of bet that it would hold up really well. The bread is what I am not so sure about. However- I made the lentil and feta wraps which also had a lot of moisture and ate those the next day and they were totally fine?
6:09 pm on January 23rd, 2013
Ahh, Kale. I enjoy kale in my soups. My husband says he would eat kale if I put peanut butter and chocolate frosting on top … LOL. He does eat it in my soups, but not without some complaining! He has a great talent for picking some of it out of the soup. I love that it is a ‘powerhouse’ green and so good for you.
2:21 pm on February 12th, 2013
Pete ate this wrap after I emphatically told him there was no kale in it. That it was romaine. He loved it. goes to show.
2:31 pm on February 12th, 2013
Okay, that is hilarious! Love it. Silly Kale Boys! :) This recipe sounds great.
10:03 pm on February 12th, 2013
[...] Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Wrap Source: Heather Christo Cooks [...]
12:58 am on February 19th, 2013
[...] Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Wrap Source: Heather Christo Cooks [...]
12:58 am on February 19th, 2013