Welcome to the ultimate summer culinary experience! There’s nothing quite like a vibrant, fresh, and utterly customizable meal to brighten up warm days. Our **Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board** is designed to do just that – offering a delightful array of flavors and textures that will satisfy every palate. Imagine a feast where everyone gets to be their own chef, crafting their perfect salad from an exquisite selection of toppings, all brought together by a light and zesty honey lemon vinaigrette. This isn’t just a salad; it’s an interactive dining adventure, perfect for gatherings, family meals, or simply treating yourself to something spectacularly delicious and effortlessly elegant.
The Irresistible Charm of Salad Boards for Summer
As temperatures rise, our cravings naturally shift towards lighter, more refreshing meals. That’s where the brilliance of a build-your-own salad board truly shines. It transforms a simple salad into a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and an interactive dining experience that caters to individual tastes and dietary preferences. No more trying to please everyone with one fixed dish; instead, you present a canvas of fresh, colorful ingredients, empowering each person to create their culinary masterpiece.
Why Choose a Build-Your-Own Salad Board?
- Customization at its Best: Guests can pick and choose their favorite ingredients, ensuring everyone loves what’s on their plate.
- Visually Stunning: A well-arranged salad board is a feast for the eyes, adding an aesthetic appeal to any table setting. The vibrant colors and varied textures make it incredibly inviting.
- Effortless Entertaining: Most of the prep can be done in advance, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your guests and less time in the kitchen.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Loaded with fresh produce, lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber, it’s a guilt-free meal that nourishes the body.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual backyard barbecues to elegant indoor gatherings, a salad board fits seamlessly into any summer event.
A Symphony of Flavors and Textures on Our Salad Board
Our featured Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board offers an unparalleled selection of toppings that are not only delicious individually but harmonize beautifully together. We’ve meticulously chosen each component to create a captivating interplay of tastes and textures. Imagine perfectly crisp, massaged kale providing a robust base, complemented by the sweet and juicy burst of Zespri™ SunGold™ Kiwifruit. Adding a savory counterpoint are salt and peppery shrimp, offering a lean protein kick. For crunch, we’ve included toasted pecans and almonds, while chewy dried cherries introduce a delightful tart sweetness. Creamy blue cheese crumbles melt in your mouth, contrasted by the unique sweet-and-savory pecan-crusted goat cheese balls. Fresh, slightly tart blueberries and rich, creamy avocado complete this extraordinary ensemble, all drizzled with a light and bright honey lemon vinaigrette. This combination isn’t just satisfying; it’s an out-of-this-world culinary delight!
Discovering Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit: A Golden Gem
This salad board wouldn’t be complete, or nearly as flavorful and refreshing, without the inclusion of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit. It’s truly the ingredient that ties all the diverse flavors together, infusing the dish with its unique brightness and sweetness. If you’ve yet to experience this golden marvel, you’re in for a treat! SunGold Kiwifruit is distinctly golden in color, radiating a gloriously sweet flavor profile that sets it apart from its green cousin.
Unpacking the SunGold Experience
SunGold Kiwifruit offers a sweeter, less acidic taste than traditional green kiwi, making it exceptionally palatable and versatile. Its flavor is often described as a delightful cross between a ripe mango and a succulent strawberry, creating a truly tropical sensation. Each bite delivers incredible juiciness paired with a beautifully smooth texture, a departure from the slight tang and firmness of green kiwi. A significant advantage is its hairless skin, which means you can simply wash it and bite into it like an apple. This method not only offers convenience but also provides double the fiber compared to eating just the flesh, boosting your daily intake effortlessly.
Nutritional Powerhouse
Beyond its incredible taste and convenient form, Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C, surpassing oranges in its concentration, which is vital for immune support and skin health. It also provides essential dietary fiber, contributing to digestive wellness. Incorporating this super fruit into your diet is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your nutrient intake and enjoy a delicious treat at the same time.
Endless Culinary Possibilities with SunGold Kiwifruit
Since discovering SunGold Kiwifruit, it has quickly become a summer staple in our home. Its versatility is astounding! We love to snack on it fresh, adding it to our morning smoothies for a burst of tropical flavor, or layering it over oatmeal for a naturally sweet start to the day. It even lends itself beautifully to creative cocktails, adding a refreshing twist. And, as you can clearly see with this stunning salad board, it elevates savory dishes to new heights. The enjoyment possibilities are truly endless, making it a fruit you’ll want to keep stocked in your kitchen year-round.
Crafting Your Culinary Masterpiece: The Salad Board Assembly
One of the best aspects of this Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board is how quickly and beautifully it comes together. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a show-stopping meal ready to impress. This section will guide you through the simple steps to recreate this masterpiece for your loved ones this summer, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable preparation process.
Preparing Your Core Ingredients for the Salad Board
Efficient preparation is key to a stress-free salad board assembly. Here’s how to get your main components ready:
- Shrimp: Quickly sauté the thawed, patted-dry shrimp with a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper until perfectly cooked. This adds a fantastic savory protein element.
- Kale: The secret to tender, palatable kale is massaging it! Combine the chopped kale with a little olive oil and gently massage it for a few minutes until it softens. This breaks down the tough fibers and makes it much more enjoyable to eat.
- Honey Lemon Vinaigrette: Whisk together lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Gradually drizzle in olive oil while whisking briskly to emulsify, then season with salt and pepper to taste. This bright and balanced dressing will tie all the flavors together.
- Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese Balls: Roll small portions of goat cheese into balls and then coat them in crushed candied pecans. These sweet and savory bites add a gourmet touch and can be made ahead of time.
- SunGold Kiwifruit & Avocado: Peel and slice the vibrant SunGold kiwifruit. Slice the creamy avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
Arranging for Visual Appeal and Easy Serving
The presentation of a salad board is almost as important as the taste. It’s about creating an inviting display that encourages everyone to dig in. For this board, we recommend a sturdy wood serving board, approximately 18” x 12” in size, as it provides ample space for all the delightful components.
Begin by placing a small bowl of the prepared honey lemon vinaigrette in the center of your board. Next, artfully arrange the massaged kale across the board, encircling the vinaigrette bowl. This creates a lush green base for all your toppings.
Now comes the fun part: strategically placing your vibrant toppings. Scatter the sliced Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit in various inviting spots over the kale. Then, create distinct piles of the sautéed shrimp, fresh blueberries, remaining candied pecans, delicate sliced almonds, chewy dried cherries, and tangy blue cheese crumbles in different areas across the board. Tuck the elegant pecan-coated goat cheese balls into several empty spaces, adding pockets of creamy texture. Finally, arrange the sliced avocado at the top and bottom edges of the kale, adding a final touch of richness and color.
To ensure easy serving, place a pair of serving tongs near the board, allowing each person to effortlessly build their customized salad on their individual plates. Don’t forget a small spoon in the dressing bowl for that perfect drizzle. And there you have it – a stunning, delectable salad board that truly screams summer and is guaranteed to satisfy!
Pro Tips for the Perfect Salad Board Experience
Make it Your Own: Variations and Additions
While our recipe offers a phenomenal combination, the beauty of a salad board lies in its flexibility. Feel free to adapt it to your taste or what you have on hand. Consider adding:
- Proteins: Grilled chicken, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
- Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, shredded carrots, bell peppers, or roasted sweet potatoes.
- Cheeses: Feta, fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), or shaved parmesan.
- Grains: Cooked quinoa or farro for added substance.
- Fruits: Other berries, mandarins, or grapes.
- Nuts/Seeds: Walnuts, pepitas, or sunflower seeds for different textures.
Serving Suggestions for Every Occasion
This Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board is incredibly versatile and suited for a myriad of summer settings:
- Patio Dining: Enjoy it al fresco on your patio with a cool drink.
- Beach or Lake Day: Pack the prepped ingredients in separate containers and assemble on location for a gourmet picnic.
- Weeknight Dinner: A refreshing alternative to heavy meals, making dinner feel special yet simple.
- Entertaining Guests: It’s a fantastic option for potlucks, brunches, or dinner parties, allowing guests to mingle and interact while customizing their meal.
The Joy of Sharing and Savoring
It’s truly a rewarding experience to watch friends and family gather around this vibrant board, excitedly building their own beautiful salads. The anticipation of combining these fresh ingredients, the freedom to choose, and the ultimate delight of that first bite make for unforgettable moments. Our crew simply can’t get enough of how delicious and satisfying this salad board is, and we’re confident that you and your loved ones will adore it just as much!
Final Thoughts & Your Culinary Journey
We sincerely hope this Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board brings as much joy and deliciousness to your summer as it does to ours. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to embrace fresh flavors, creativity, and shared meals. Whether you’re enjoying it under the sun or at your dining table, it promises a satisfying and memorable experience.
If you embark on this culinary adventure and create your own salad board, we’d absolutely love to see your inspired creations! Be sure to share a photo on social media and tag us @thebakermama and @zesprikiwifruit. We thrive on seeing how you bring our ideas to life with your unique touch. Enjoy every fresh, flavorful bite!
xoxo,
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Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board
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Author: The BakerMama
Prep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 5 min
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6
Description
This magnificent Kale + SunGold Kiwifruit Salad Board is the ideal summer meal, crafted to satisfy cravings for fresh, vibrant, and flavorful food. It offers a unique build-your-own experience, allowing everyone to customize their salad with an incredible assortment of toppings, all brought together by a delightful honey lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounce) bag fully-cooked frozen medium shrimp, thawed and patted dry
- 1 (10 ounce) bag chopped kale
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- ¾ cup candied pecans (divided: ¼ cup for goat cheese, ½ cup for board)
- 5 Zespri™ SunGold™ Kiwifruit (sliced; consider this coupon for a free pack!)
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup dried cherries
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
- ½ large avocado, freshly sliced
Honey Lemon Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the shrimp: Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the thawed and thoroughly patted dry shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot pan and sauté for just 1 minute per side until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Massage the kale: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped kale with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Using your hands, gently massage the kale for 2-3 minutes until it softens and its texture becomes more tender. Set aside.
Make the honey lemon vinaigrette: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard until thoroughly combined. While continuously whisking vigorously, slowly drizzle in the 3 tablespoons of olive oil until the mixture is emulsified and creamy. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper to your taste preference. Transfer to a small serving bowl.
Form the pecan-crusted goat cheese balls: Crush ¼ cup of the candied pecans into fine pieces and spread them in a shallow bowl. Using a teaspoon, roll the goat cheese into small, bite-sized balls. Roll each goat cheese ball in the crushed candied pecans until completely coated. Store these delightful balls in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble and serve.
Prepare the kiwifruit: Carefully peel and then slice the Zespri SunGold kiwifruit into desired shapes for easy serving and aesthetic appeal.
Arrange the board base: On a sturdy wood serving board, ideally around 18” x 12” in size, place the small bowl of honey lemon vinaigrette towards the center. Artfully arrange the massaged kale around the vinaigrette bowl and across the board to form a lush green foundation.
Assemble the toppings: Distribute the sliced SunGold kiwifruit in various inviting spots on top of the kale. Create distinct piles of the sautéed shrimp, fresh blueberries, the remaining ½ cup of candied pecans, thinly sliced almonds, chewy dried cherries, and savory blue cheese crumbles in different areas across the kale. Place the pecan-coated goat cheese balls in several strategic spots on the board. Finally, arrange slices of fresh avocado at the top and bottom edges of the kale on the board.
Serve for enjoyment: Position a pair of serving tongs conveniently near the board, allowing each person to easily select their desired ingredients and build their own salad on their plate. Place a spoon in the dressing bowl for drizzling. Serve immediately and savor this customizable, flavorful, and refreshing summer meal!