Kale And Crispy Red Rice Salad With Chickpeas
A vibrant, nutrient-dense salad featuring crunchy red rice, creamy avocado, and protein-packed chickpeas on a bed of massaged kale.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
Makes about
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Ally + Lila
Ally created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthWell-nourished skin
Support from the whole plate
Regular meals with enough protein, plants and fats support overall nourishment. Think consistency, not one miracle ingredient.
Notice: consistency + hydration
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Sheet pan · Whisk · Mixing bowl
Time saver
Make a double batch of the crispy rice to use as a crunchy topper for soups or other salads later in the week.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 5 steps complete
Next: Rinse the red rice and cook according…
- 01
Rinse the red rice and cook according…
Rinse the red rice and cook according to package instructions. Once cooked, spread it on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
Look for: crispy
Tap card to mark done - 02
Place the kale in a large bowl…
Place the kale in a large bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the leaves with your hands for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and dark green.
Look for: they become soft and dark green
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the chickpeas
Add the chickpeas, halved cherry tomatoes, and crispy red rice to the bowl.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Slice the avocado and place it on…
Slice the avocado and place it on top.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 05
Whisk together lemon juice
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, and black pepper to create a simple dressing. Pour over the salad and toss gently to combine.
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Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
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