Sunday, July 7, 2013

Thai Peanut Kale Salad Recipe

This is my favorite way to eat kale in the whole world, so here goes...

This Thai Peanut Kale Salad is a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy.

THAI PEANUT KALE SALAD
(Serves one)

MASSAGED KALE SALAD:
- 1 bunch of Dino Kale (or your favorite organic Kale)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt

THAI PEANUT DRESSING:
- 3 Tbsp all natural peanut butter (no salt, no sugar, just peanuts)
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp agave nectar
- 1/4 clove garlic
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- Pinch cayenne

FOR ASSEMBLY:
- 1/2 large carrot, peeled and grated
- Small handful of crushed blanched peanuts (optional), separated
- Cherry tomatoes (optional)

Directions:
To make the Massaged Kale Salad:
1. Rinse and inspect the kale VERY WELL (bugs love hiding in kale), then hold it together in a bunch and cut into approximately 1-inch pieces.
2. Put the kale into a large bowl and add salt and lemon juice. Massage the kale with your hands for about five minutes (squeeze, rotate, squeeze, rotate). It will become very tender and shrink tremendously. Drain some of the liquid from the Massaged Kale Salad and set aside.

To make the Thai Peanut Dressing:
3. In a food processor, combine the peanut butter, water, sesame oil, rice vinegar, agave nectar, garlic, ground ginger and cayenne until well blended

Assemble:
4.Add the Thai Peanut Dressing, grated carrot and about half of the crushed peanuts to the Massaged Kale Salad. Mix everything until well combined. Transfer your salad to a serving bowl, then top it with the remaining crushed peanuts and cherry tomatoes for garnish.

Enjoy!