Powerhouse Bulgur Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 cup bulgur
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups torn kale
• 1 apple, chopped
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 1 chopped avocado (optional)
• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)

Vinaigrette

• Juice of 1 orange
• 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Place the bulgur in a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and allow the mixture to simmer for 12-15 minutes or until tender. Drain off any excess liquid. If you want to serve the salad cold immediately, rinse the bulgur with cold water. Otherwise, you can let it cool on its own.
2. Place the orange juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, ginger, and salt in a jelly jar with a tight lid and shake it up until fully combined, about 1 minute.
3. Toss the bulgur with the kale, apples, pecans, cranberries, avocado and goat cheese (if desired). Pour the vinaigrette over everything and stir to combine. Serve warm or chill for several hours or overnight.