Crunchy Cabbage, Kale, and Radicchio Salad

Crispy, crunchy, and oh so simple to make, this cabbage, kale, and radicchio salad is the perfect side dish to take on a picnic, to the beach, or to your own dining table.

A homemade dressing lends plenty of zing to a refreshing combination of robust leafy vegetables. The vibrant radicchio adds a beautiful magenta color, along with a slight bitterness that cleanses the palate. Not only is this a pretty salad, but it is full of nutrition and it holds up well if you need to pack it in a cooler for a picnic lunch.

The recipe is based on one I found in the cookbook Simply Scandinavian by Trine Hahnemann. The main change I made in the recipe is that I used green cabbage instead of white. This cookbook is special to me because it is a gift from my daughter. She traveled to Iceland this spring and brought it back for me, knowing how I love cookbooks. It is full of inspiring and delicious recipes with a Scandinavian flair.

Sometimes it feels good to eat a crunchy, leafy salad alongside a rich meal or if it’s a hot day and you want something that tastes clean and light. The homemade dressing consists of classic ingredients like white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and olive oil, and you can always adjust the levels to suit your tastes.

With just a few ingredients, you can throw together a colorful salad that is both healthy and light, a great side dish for your meal, or if you need to take something that is both wonderful and practical to a gathering.

It is a warm summer evening as I write this and the fireflies are lighting up the darkness outside. I hope you are all savoring your summer so far. And thank you to my son who contributed a couple of the photos to this post!