First, I'd like to share with you my relationship with kale. Up until a month ago, it was nonexistent. The change occurred one night when Dan and I decided to eat dinner from the Whole Foods prepared foods bar. When I saw their kale salad, I finally decided to give it a try.
Why had I NEVER had kale up until that point in my life? Yes, I have continually heard through the years that it has some great health benefits but I just never got around to it because I thought it would taste similar to turnip greens (something I do NOT like). Ironically, I LOVE collard greens but I just can't stand turnip greens. Regardless of my preconceived thoughts, I am still surprised I have never tried kale up to this point since I am typically pretty keen on testing the tastyness of anything that is really healthy.
The health benefits include:
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?dbid=38&tname=foodspice
Of course, if you just google "health benefits of kale," you will find a wealth of resources.
So the verdict on kale? AWESOME. Just how awesome? Almost as awesome as discovering how easy it is to grow fresh basil leaves in a pot (that occurred about 2 years ago).
After looking up recipes and such to create my own, I have decided I REALLY like kale prepared this way:
Powerhouse kale salad ingredients:
- Kale, finely chopped
- red onions
- avocados (thrown in at the last minute so it won't turn in to guacamole. A half ripened avocado is best)
- almonds
- tomatoes
- Optional: celery, carrots, bell peppers, etc.
Make this dressing and toss it in to the kale mix:
- 2 parts red wine vinegar
- 1 part olive oil
- agave nectar (I typically mix it with the vinegar BEFORE adding in the olive oil)
- Optional: Garlic, black pepper (no salt!)
Yes, you can substitute sugar or a sweetener for the agave nectar but I use agave since I am trying to make a very tasty yet healthy salad. :)
Of course, many of you know I never really follow a recipe so I just change up some of the ingredients whenever I feel like it. :) I DEFINITELY keep in the red onions for taste, avocado to make it a more filling salad, and the almonds for more health benefits. (If you don't believe me, just google the health benefits of avocado and almonds :P
If you actually decide to try this kale salad, please feel free to let me know what you think. In the meantime, I will get back to enjoying my kale salad and try to write about at least one random thing every month so that you know we are still alive :)
Sounds yummy! I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think of it!
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