This was so good that I just had to share with my 3FC folks. I've never found a method of preparing kale that made it taste good to me, until my friend made this salad the other day. I'm a changed woman!
Raw Kale Salad (This is two gigantic servings)
Salad:
1 bunch curly kale, tough stems removed, washed and chopped into bite sized pieces.
2 tbsp chopped nuts or seeds (my friend used pumpkin seeds, which were delicious, and I used chopped roasted, salted pistachios).
2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Dressing:
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp maple syrup
2 tbsp olive oil
Make dressing by whisking vinegar and maple syrup together, then streaming in olive oil slowly. Toss about 3-4 tbsp of the dressing (note, you'll have leftover...you can reduce the dressing recipe proportions or just save some for other salads. Use more or less dressing to your taste) with chopped kale and sesame seeds, and divide kale mixture into two salad plates or bowls. Top each salad with 1 tbsp chopped nuts and serve!
There is also a version where you smash raw garlic clove with salt, whisk in juice of a lemon or so, few T olive oil and as much grated pecorino or similar cheese you would like (I use asiago), grinds of black pepper and vigorously toss. Optional are toasted bread crumbs, but the nuts above sound good. I really love it with the cavalo nero (dinosaur kale). Plus this type of salad will keep a few days - always handy for a meal or snack.
I kept re-reading this recipe & decided it reminded me of the "massaged" kale recipes I've seen on the forum before. What they have in common is the acidic liquid, which wilts & breaks down the kale's structure in some way, maybe like a ceviche.
Okay, so I tried a version of this today, using rice vinegar, but swapping sesame oil for the olive oil, a bit of brown sugar for the maple syrup, crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, and some soy sauce.
I handled it the same way, tossing & tossing until it wilted & turned bright green. I also used sesame seeds & then, for the nuts, crushed peanuts.
Anyway, I loved it, and I foresee making it again.
I made this last night and it is definitely a keeper! I made mine with seasoned rice vinegar, amber agave, and sesame oil. Also added toasted sesame seeds and pepitas, chopped red onion, and red pepper flakes. YUMYUMYUM! Thanks again for sharing.
For me, it was really less of a recipe and more of a "OMG, you can make salad out of raw kale and it is delicious". Though the nuts and sesame seeds are a nice addition, and it is a pretty flawless dressing for the kale.
Sounds wonderful! I just discovered kale recently--I put a little bit of olive oil on it, some seasoning (oregano and the like), and stick it in the oven at 350ish for 10-13 minutes--so delicious!
I'm going to try this salad thing soon! I'm amazed at how healthy and filling kale is.
Have made this four times now, as I've described, and now I also add some crushed bottled ginger, and instead of the brown sugar, I use Splenda. The sesame seeds are required but sometimes I don't put any nuts on it.
Yeah, Nelie, I was remembering your description of kale that gets a massage in your kitchen day spa. Seems really similar preparation method to this one.
I have eaten kales for a while but cooked ones; i must admit that am afraid of trying this new idea of raw kales as salad.........
your recipe looks very convincing, i must give it a try.
Raw Kale Salad
