Baby Kale Salad w/ Quick Pickled Kumquats, Crispy Crumbs & Herby Vinaigrette

If you need to bring something to a dinner or book club and you want it to be fresh and beautiful, this is your salad! It is neutral enough that grilled chicken, salmon or steak would be great additions, if needed. Kumquats are tart, but this recipe pickles them slightly to tame the bitterness and soften them just slightly. They would be fine raw if you need to save time, just expect that citrus rind kick of flavor.

I wrote it in the recipe, but shaved fennel loves a little bath in the dressing to soften up. If you have time, get add that step in before you do your final toss.