Kale, Orange, Garbanzo Bean Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
Serves 6-8

This heart healthy dish boasts of colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, and beans. I love this combination of ingredients, but another recent contender is Cabbage, Grapefruit, Lentils with Hazelnut Vinaigrette. Make it hardier and add some whole grains like quinoa or farro. More variations below the recipe!

For the Walnut Vinaigrette:
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons pure dark grade A maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 Tablespoons roasted walnut oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

For the slaw:
1 head of Lacinato (aka Dinosaur and Tuscan) kale, very thinly shredded
Maple Hazelnut Vinaigrette
1 can garbanzo beans, drained (or 2 cups cooked from dried beans)
2 large oranges, cut into segments
1/3 cup thinly sliced fennel (reserve fennel fronds and roughly chop them to add in if you wish)
1/3 cup roughly chopped roasted walnuts
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

1.     In a small bowl, whisk together the shallot, vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard. Continue whisking and slowly drizzle in the oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Alternatively, combine all the ingredients in a jar and give it a good shake.

2.     Place the kale in a large bowl and add enough vinaigrette to coat, massaging it into the kale for a minute or so until the kale becomes tender.

3.     Gently fold in the beans, orange, fennel, and most of the walnuts, reserving a tablespoon of walnuts for garnish and adding more salt and pepper to taste if you wish. Divide equally among plates and garnish with the reserved walnuts and fennel fronds if you are using them.

GUIDELINES AND VARIATIONS
What grows together goes together - think regions and seasons.
Grammar.
High notes and Low notes.
Change proportions, too! Add a whole grain, add an herb…

Cabbage, Mango, Edamame, Rice Vinegar, Toasted Sesame Oil, Green Onion, Toasted Sesame Seeds (avocado, cilantro)
Arugula, Tomato, Lentils, Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic, Toasted Almonds (olive, basil)
Spinach, Pineapple, Black Beans, Lime, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Onion, Toasted Pepitas (avocado, cilantro)