Monday, January 16, 2012

New obsession: Rubbed Kale Salad

You can almost hear the cruciferous green exclaim, "take me to dinner first!" I love this salad because it will keep you full for hours, and do I need to you tell how healthy and delicious dark leafy greens are? I have also used mustard and other hearty greens in this salad- the key is to use a green that can hold up to a strong massage without wilting. The rubbed greens salad is more of a technique than a recipe, much like the formula for soup.





Start with fresh kale (or other leafy greens). Wash the kale and be sure the kale is completely dry. Chop the kale leaves into ribbons, and drizzle a small amount of oil into the kale leaves. Rub and massage the leaves on the cutting board or in the bowl. Squeeze lemon juice over the kale, or use some other homemade dressing. Sprinkle with salt and fresh-cracked black pepper. Set aside. Add one of each:

Christmas kale salad!
Nuts and seeds:

Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Slivered almonds
Sliced almonds
Peanuts
Walnuts

+Pro-Tip: Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat before sprinkling them on your salad. The heat releases the oils and gives you the loveliest nut flavor.

Fruit:

Sliced Apples
Sliced Pear
Raisins
Dried cranberries
Dried blueberries
Dried cherries

++Pro-Tip: Look for the kind without added sugar or HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). If you are shopping at the regular grocery store, the raisins are usually unsweetened (Thanks for the tip, Katie!).

If it tickles your fancy, add cheese:

Feta
Parmesean
Ricotta Salata

+++Pro-Tip: Pick something salty and crumbly.

Recently, I ate the salad with some homemade smoked sun-dried tomato salad dressing I made for the week.This dressing is incredibly savory and delicious. After trying the dressing, one of my roommates said, "It tastes like... pepperoni!" This dressing gives the umami taste you might get from miso, mushrooms, soy sauce, and other savory flavors. After soaking the smoked sun-dried tomatoes in hot water, I blended a handful of the tomatoes, lemon juice, lemon zest,  and salt and pepper. After the tomatoes are pureed, I spun up a dribble of the tomato water, a small dollop of Veganiasse, honey, and olive oil, to get the consistency I wanted (I like a looser dressing).

1 comment:

  1. I just made this salad for dinner and it was delicious. Both of may daughters loved it, too. My daughter who is home from college asked me to send her the recipe so she can make it when she gets back to school. And I will certainly be making this salad often. Thanks!

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