Asian Kale Mason Jar Salad

My co-worker and I have started to bring in some mason jar salads for new lunch options. They are so easy to put together. I made this Asian Kale Salad for us during our first week. Then we are bringing in our salad jars once a week from now on and trying new recipes. 

This recipe was adapted from the McCormick website. The ironic part about this is that the McCormick factory is just up the road from my office. Every day when I get out of my car to enter my building I smell a different spice in the air. In case you were wondering it is usually garlic powder that I smell the most often.  Here is my jar ready to be added to my lunch bag.

Here is the recipe for you to try!

Vinaigrette:

 1/4 c rice vinegar

1 tbsp orange juice

1 tbsp packed brown sugar

2 tsp of sesame oil

1/2 tsp of garlic powder

1/2 tsp of ground ginger

1/8 tsp of salt

Salad:

1 lb of kale

1 chopped red pepper

1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges

1/2 cup of sliced almonds

2 tbsp of chopped green onions

I mixed the dressing with a whisk and poured it inside the mason jar. There was enough dressing made for about three mason jars.  I then placed the chopped red peppers first. Making sure they covered the dressing completely on the bottom of the jar. I rinsed the kale and chopped it up. I discarded the stems and the center pieces. After the kale is dry it goes in for the third layer. At the top I added the mandarin oranges, almonds and green onions.  

When it came to lunch time I dumped out the jar into a bowl and mixed it together. The red peppers really helped the kale not get soggy from touching the dressing all morning in the fridge.

It is especially easy to put together when you are trying to get out the door quickly.  Have a great day everyone!