As I type this post, we’re getting a snow storm. It’s so beautiful out, but I can’t help but dream of the summer. I can barely remember what the forest looks like all green and full of life. Right now, it’s stark white and eerily still.
I don’t know about you, but I‘ve got a bad case of cabin fever lately. I get this urge to run races just to get outside, declutter the house, and buy a huge pineapple at the grocery store. I also feel like I’m slowly going to go stir crazy if I have to plant my butt on the couch for a second longer. I really can’t bring myself to watch another reality show either. I mean, Ice T and Coco…really?
I’d rather pick lint off my sweater.
But I find myself watching it anyways, while I pick lint off my sweater and tell Sketchie to stop eating it.
Mmm, lint. Yum.
Then I come to my senses and remember that Up All Night is on and everything is well in the world again.
If I’m feeling really desperate for warm weather, sometimes I’ll eat food that reminds me of the tropics. The tropical fruit that I usually pass up at the grocery store, is now a craving that can’t be ignored. It’s a splurge that just might save my sanity, at least for now.
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Tropical Mango, Banana, Pineapple Kale Salad with Creamy Pineapple Lime Coconut Dressing
Yield
2 large or 4 small salads
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
The next best thing to going on a tropical vacation. Let’s call this a staycation salad, shall we?
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3/4 cup coconut milk (I used So Delicious original, see below)
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
For the salad
- 5 cups packed kale, stems removed and roughly torn
- 1 ripe mango, chopped
- 1/2 large banana, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
- 1 tbsp shredded dried coconut
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped macadamia nuts
Directions
This dressing is something I whipped up on a whim to pair with the flavours of the fruit. I usually have the hardest time making salad dressing (I’m so picky with them), but I loved this one immediately. It’s one of those dressings you can eat with a spoon too…seriously.
I used chia seeds to help thicken the salad dressing. They probably aren’t absolutely necessary, but they do help. I’m really not a fan of using things like xanthum gum as thickeners, so chia seeds are a nice, all-natural alternative.
Blend the dressing ingredients and let it sit and thicken while you prepare the kale. Now, pour about 2/3 of the dressing onto the kale leaves and massage it in with your fingers, letting it marinate while you chop the fruit and nuts.
Mix it all together, squeeze on some lime juice, and you’re good to go!
When I eat this salad, I don’t see a snow storm outside.
I see a sunny white sand beach, clear blue sky, and glistening turquoise water. I’m sitting at a beachside bar enjoying this salad with a sarong tied around my waist and a wide rimmed hat.
You are all there enjoying the beach too. HI!
We’re rehydrating with a tropical smoothie made with 1 cup coconut milk, 1/2 cup frozen pineapple, 1 frozen banana, and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice. Add some rum too…we’re on the beach, after all.
Life is good.
When I wake up from my dream, I feel like Cinderella after the clock struck midnight. Only instead of a glass slipper, all I’m left with is some questionable peach nail polish and a kitchen that needs a major cleaning. Pineapple juice is STICKY.
Should I wear my wide rimmed hat while I shovel the driveway?
Pineapple is one of my absolute favorite fruits ever and I love that you used it in the salad as well as the smoothie I cant wait to try both of these out! And I lovee the nailpolish I always paint my nails bright colors in the winter it helps cheer me up and get excited for the spring!
OMG, this looks heavenly, I can’t wait to try it! The kitty pic is CLASSIC!
Also love the nail polish, you look beach ready! :-) Have a great weekend!
Sigh seeing this makes me want warm weather too! Looks amazing :)
Since my pleading for a tropical vacation is being ignored by my husband, I might just have to resort to this too. Pineapple sounds lovely right now as I stare at the random 3 inches of snow we got last night that I was totally unprepared for!
Way to brighten up winter! I want to make that smoothie today! And that is the best nail polish color ever.
This looks DELISH! Can’t wait to make it. Your cat – HYSTERICAL!
SO many yummy kale recipe floating around lately!! They all looks so delicious! I am loving the tropical spin on this one!
WOW this is a really good tropical salad, and the dressing sounds so good! Angela, I see you ate really looking forward to the summer :)
looks like vacation on a plate!
I don’t have a real vacation planned for awhile so I’ll have to vacation through my food. Pineapple and coconut = tropical bliss! :)
We finally got snow in Minnesota too – this salad will be perfect way to escape wintery reality! There’s something about kale and pineapple together that just works!
And its snowing again today in Minnesota! The salad looks so delicious, and I would say if not adding rum….maybe tequila would be a good idea!? Just a thought :) Thanks for the beautiful salad to brighten up the snowy day!
I’ve been feeling the same way here in NY–luckily no snowstorm, in fact, it was 60 degrees yesterday and I had all the windows wide open! Now it’s back to cooler weather, but I’m hoping our mild winter stays mild!
I’ve never thought to add banana to a green salad before but it sounds awesome!!
you are adorable haha i’m anxiously awaiting the snow so I have an excuse to make your hot chocolate!! but that smoothie sounds like it has summer breakfast written all over it.. maybe add a scoop of protein powder and spinach and it can be the tropical green monster?
mmm that would make a nice breakfast :)
Oh I am definitely trying this dressing! I love fruity dressings and it is raining here in Philly and maybe I can convince myself I’m in Hawaii if I make this dressing and turn the heat up really high. I’m sure that will work. The deck looks great by the way! So pretty covered with snow :)
Thanks Alex! I will forward your compliment along to the deck master ;)
I love the bright colors…I am ready for the sunshine too..spring can you hear us??? Have a wonderful Friday..stay warm!
Oh wow, all that’s missing is the beach!!!! I hear ya – the weather is crazy gross and I’m getting cabin fever too. All I want is to run on a REAL road and not have to bundle up to walk outside! Hopefully it’ll be over by this afternoon like they’ve been saying on the radio. In the meantime, I’ll just sit in my windowless office, gaze at photos of your salad, and pretend like there’s a beautiful ocean with sun shining outside!! ;) PS LOVE your nail colour!
Boooo..they said it was supposed to be a snow storm…but I woke up and it’s just ice rain? i was all excited and wanted snowmageddon lol…I’m about an hour away from Toronto – so i wonder if up that way is getting more?
I think that salad looks absolutely delish! Love the idea of making it tropical based :D My parents have been in aruba for the past 6 weeks (2 more weeks to go) and then they go on a cruise…I am so jealous :(
Have barely had ANY snow in vermont, it’s sort of absurd and I feel bad for all the skiers but I’m sort of loving it. And I think I want to drink that dressssing, yum!!
Haha! This is one of the funnier entries I’ve read in awhile. That salad looks amazing. I’m going to have to try it. We just got more snow last night in Iowa, so I’m needing something tropical. I’m picturing myself moving to Hawaii. It’s a good daydream.