It's that time of year when kale is in abundance. I tend to use this amazingly healthy vegetable in soups and wilted in a small amount of broth. However, unlike a lot of people that I know, I tend to struggle with the bitter taste of kale when consumed raw.
Kale is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, along with cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, brussel sprouts and mustard greens to name a few. It's their sulfur -containing compounds that lend them that bitter taste, but are a great indication of high micronutrient and phytochemical levels. According to Dr. Fuhrman and scientific research, when these veggies are broken by blending, chopping or chewing, a chemical reaction takes place that converts the sulfur-containing compounds into ITCs (isothiocyanates), which are a combination of compounds with proven and powerful immune-boosting effects and anticancer activity.
So given how important this vegetable is in improving and maintaining my health, I am constantly on the look out for a recipe where I can
I found this on the blog site The Fresh Exchange. Initially it seemed quite labor intensive. However, now that I have made it once and am familiar with all the steps, this will be one of those easy go -to dishes in my repertoire.
Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
1 Bunch of Tuscano Kale
1 Large Sweet Potato
2-3 Apples of your choice
1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds (you can replace this with nearly any nut you have on hand honestly)
1/2 tsp Paprika
1-2 pinches of Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt if you have it.
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp Coconut Oil
1 Large Sweet Potato
2-3 Apples of your choice
1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds (you can replace this with nearly any nut you have on hand honestly)
1/2 tsp Paprika
1-2 pinches of Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt if you have it.
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp Coconut Oil
Dressing Ingredients:
1 cup Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother.
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Tahini
1 knuckle of Ginger
2 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 tsp Turmeric
a pinch of Cayenne
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Juice of 1 Lemon
1/4 tsp Paprika
1 cup Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother.
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Tahini
1 knuckle of Ginger
2 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 tsp Turmeric
a pinch of Cayenne
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Juice of 1 Lemon
1/4 tsp Paprika
To make the salad, wash and chop the kale leaves and the apples and place in a large bowl. Then, once you have chopped the kale and apples, wash the large sweet potato and skin it. Once the potato is skinned, chop it into chunks and set in a separate bowl. Melt 1 tbsp of coconut oil (20 seconds in the microwave should do) then drizzle it onto the chopped potatoes. Place the other tbsp of coconut oil in a saute pan and begin to let it melt down. Toss the remaining spices in with the coconut oil, thoroughly coating the sweet potatoes. Once the oil has warmed up in the pan, saute the potatoes on medium to low heat until they are soft and no longer crunchy. Then take the sweet potatoes off the heat and let them cool, while you allow the potatoes to cool, place all dressing ingredients in your high speed blender and blend until a smooth consistency is created. If for any reason the dressing is too thick, add a little water to it or if it seems too thin add a little more tahini.
With the potatoes cooled and the dressing done, place the pumpkin seeds in the bowl with the kale and apples as well as the sweet potatoes. Toss it all together evenly. Once it is tossed begin to slowly drizzle the dressing on the salad. Toss and add dressing as needed. The salad is then ready to serve. If you have left over dressing, keep in a ball jar for left overs. It should last for about a week.
I cannot thoroughly express how delicious this dish was. In fact I thought it was even tastier the next day as leftovers. Try this recipe and let me know how you like it.
p.s.
If you think this recipe is healthy just for the kale you are mistaken! The combination of the tumeric, ginger and garlic are all great anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and knock out superfoods. So have another bite of salad and savor all that goodness!
Helping you embrace Your Sensational Self,
Shelley Allen Health Coach MS, OTR/L
or Twitter @shelleyhealth1
or Twitter @shelleyhealth1
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