White Bean and Kale Salad with Feta and Dill

It’s summer. The season of salads. Why? Mostly because you can take just about anything fresh, throw it in a bowl and call it a salad.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend a couple of week’s at my friend Orianna’s cottage in Sweden, and since she was away on vacation, she gave me full use of her garden. That’s a pretty sweet deal when you think about it; she spends the whole year doing all the hard work and I just show up to reap the benefits.

Walking barefoot into the garden and picking greens for dinner, or fresh strawberries for breakfast, is a wonderful feeling, and it makes me crave the day that I myself have enough outdoor space to grow a few things; a little more than just the pots currently hanging from the window railing of my fourth floor urban apartment. Gardening is good for us. Sticking our hands in the dirt is what we were meant to do.

White Bean and Kale Salad with Feta and Dill

Orianna’s bed of kale was full, so I didn’t feel guilty taking a few leaves for this simple salad, which is easy to throw together in a few minutes. Thanks to the beans it’s filling enough that it can serve as a meal on its own. The orange gives the salad a hint of sweetness, and you can switch this out for apple or pear if you happen to have one of those on hand instead.

Summer, you’re the best. Now I’m dreaming of a future garden.

Oh, and that herbed butter slathered over Swedish knäckebröd that you see? Simple. Chop up some chives, oregano and dill, mix with butter. Add sea salt if desired. See? Simple.

White Bean and Kale Salad with Feta and Dill

White Bean and Kale Salad with Feta and Dill

Ingredients

About 8 stalks kale

1 15-ounce (425 grams) can white beans, drained

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

One orange, peeled and cut into small pieces

4 ounces (113 grams) feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)

A few stalks fresh dill

A few stalks fresh chives

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Gently massage the kale, then rip into pieces and place in a salad bowl. Add the white beans, red onion, orange and feta cheese. Using scissors, cut the dill and chives into small pieces directly over the salad. Pour olive oil on top and mix together.

Serve and enjoy!

White Bean and Kale Salad with Feta and Dill