Tuesday, September 23, 2014

HOW TO MAKE KALE TASTE GOOD!

I am frequently asked, "How do you make kale taste good?!"  I sometimes forget we're not all die-hards (like myself) who can eat raw kale plain. So for the less inclined, I wanted to share my SIMPLEST vegan kale salad recipe!  You can whip this up in no time on the busiest of weekday evenings.  Whether you have been a devout kale follower for years or were recently acquainted, this salad is sure to please!  I have had traditional "meat and potato men" swoon over this salad.  So trust me, if they like it anyone will.  Feel free to add some cooked quinoa too!  Note: 2-3 servings.




INGREDIENTS:
1 head of your favorite kale
1/4 of a red onion finely diced
1/2 red bell pepper medium dice
10 sun-dried tomatoes, soaked and thinly sliced (not packed in oil)
1 avocado
1/2 lemon
heaping 1/4 cup apple-cider vinegar
heaping 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (nice cheesy flavor!)
2 Tbsp hempseeds (optional)



After you cut or tear the kale into a large bowl, soak the sun-dried tomatoes in warm water.  Cut avocado in half and squeeze or scoop onto kale.  Slice open lemon and squeeze half of lemon onto kale. With CLEAN hands really get in there and massage the avocado and lemon juice into the kale!  The longer the better, but at least 2 minutes.




This is what the kale will look like once properly massaged!  At this point, all you have to do is dice the rest of the veggies: the bell pepper, red onion, other half of avocado and thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes.  Toss thoroughly to fully incorporate all the goodness in the bowl!  Then add the apple-cider vinegar and nutritional yeast and toss to coat well.  Check for flavor; if you want to add more vinegar or yeast go for it!  Finally, top with optional hempseeds which add a lovely touch of plant-based protein and omega 3's.  Enjoy!




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