You know that VIP in your life, maybe your significant other or BFF, that you had no idea would become such a wonderful and essential part of your world when you first met? I have a couple of those people in my life and it’s a pretty fantastic feeling to know they haven’t quit me and moved on to a less onthevergeofadopting47cats type of girl. They have clearly earned their VIP status.
Let’s say you’re here because you’re looking for the vegetable version of my VIP’s (most likely not, but let’s just say). If that were the case I’d introduce you to one of the top VIAPV’s (very important and powerful vegetables): KALE.
I don’t know the rules about making up acronyms but one thing I’m definitely not making up is the power of kale. Kale is one of the most studied vegetables in relationship to cancer than any other health condition because of its impressive amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients (both of which are cancer preventive benefits). That’s definitely a legit reason to consider kale as a top VIAPV and include it in your life on a regular basis.
If this is your first time trying kale or you’ve tried it before and didn’t like it, the texture of the pumpkin seeds, sweetness of the mandarin oranges and semi sour apple cider vinegar will help disguise the slight bitterness of the nutritious leaves so it’s a great start.
FANTASTIC KALE SALAD
Ingredients
- 1 bunch curly kale wash, remove middle stem and chop into bite size pieces.
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 cup canned mandarins or 1-2 oranges
- 1/2 avocado or whole avocado, sliced
- 1/4 sweet onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- 3 tablespoons hemp seeds
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- Massage 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar and 1 ½ tablespoons tahini into kale.
- Add 1 cup mandarins, 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, 3 tablespoons hemp seeds, salt & pepper to taste and mix.
- Serve and top with avocado slices, and thinly sliced onion.
- Notes: Really MASSAGE the kale with the vinegar & tahini. It’ll transform the kale from bitter and tough to eat to silky and sweet! Tip: If making salad for the next day store onions, mandarins and avocado separately from the kale and seed mixture.
Let me know if you plan to try this easy kale salad! And be sure to share this recipe with your top VIP’s so you can all reap the benefits of kale together!
