Holiday Kale Caesar Salad

The other week, I was making my children’s lunches using Udi’s Ancient Grain Millet-Chia Gluten Free bread, and thought that this bread would be great as croutons.  I’ve enjoyed Udi’s bread for many years.   Their products, such as breads, buns, rolls and mixes are good and make eating gluten free so much easier.  The addition of their Ancient Grain Gluten Free Millet-Chia bread was an easy sell.  Chia seeds are naturally gluten free, high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants.  As a mom, you try and find all the places to add in ‘healthy’ and this gluten-free bread with chia seeds was an easy one.  

The bustle of the holidays are gearing up and it’s that time of year to plan out the Thanksgiving  menu.  Most of my memories for a northwest Thanksgiving revolve around my family’s beach and food, plain and simple. Although the turkey was always the hero, we looked forward to the appetizer salad. This salad was not your typical salad but a Caesar salad topped with freshly cracked crab and crunchy croutons.  Having crab was such a northwest tradition and truly a treat. This salad was always a highlight and the signal that our dinner was commencing.   

We are a gluten-free family, with celiac and gluten-intolerances, and over the years I have adjusted our holiday recipes to accommodate these needs.  This Thanksgiving, I’ve reimagined our Holiday Caesar salad to a healthier, gluten free salad with the help of Udi’s Millet-Chia Ancient Grain bread.   This Kale Caesar salad is topped with freshly cracked crab, crispy herbed, gluten free croutons, pomegranate seeds and drizzled with a vegan pepita Caesar dressing.   It’s gluten free, healthy and so delicious.    

Just in time for Thanksgiving menu planning, Udi’s is running a contest with @TheFeedFeed.glutenfree, be sure to visit their website for more information on how you can enter!.  Udi’s has been kind enough to offer my readers a coupon good for $1.00 off any One (1) Udi’s product.  This coupon is good for 14 days from printing. (You will need to install the printer plug to redeem the coupon.)

RECIPE

Serves 4-6

Prep time 20 minutes

The Salad

1 bunch of your favorite kale, torn and the ribs removed

1 head of red leaf lettuce chopped

3/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1/2 cup toasted pepita seeds

2 cups herbed croutons using Udi's (recipe follows)

1 lb. fresh Dungeness crab

1 cup pepita Caesar dressing (recipe follows)

Directions

 

Layer the ingredients for the salad in the order they appear on a large serving bowl or platter.  Drizzle at least one cup of the pepita Caesar dressing over the top and serve.  If you'd like the kale to be wilted feel free to dress the kale and set it aside in the refrigerator up to two hours before assembling the salad.   Enjoy!

Pepita Caesar dressing

2 tbsp. Dijon mustard

3/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp. toasted pepita seeds

2 anchovy’s filets packed in oil

The juice of 2 Meyer lemons

The juice of one mandarin orange

Salt & cracked pepper to taste

Pinch of red chili flakes (optional)

Directions

 

Pulse all ingredients for the dressing in your food processor.  Dressing keeps for up to one week.  

Herbed Croutons

5 slices Udi's gluten free bread cubed

1/2 cup melted butter

3 tbsp. olive oil

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

2 tbsp. fresh lemon thyme leaves

Salt & Fresh cracked pepper to taste

Directions

Pre-heat your oven on the convection setting to 375 degrees.  In a mixing bowl combine all the ingredients and gently toss to coat each bread cube in the butter, oil herbs & seasonings.  Arrange the croutons on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.  Stir the croutons halfway through baking to ensure they don't burn and evenly brown.   

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Udi’s and feedfeed. All opinions and thoughts are my own.