kale salad

So in light of this article (of this post), I'd like so share with you one of our newest favorite (and super easy) recipes.

Kale Salad

Salad:

This is more an ingredient's list rather a recipe, the quantities are up to you, keep in mind that curly kale leaves make lots of volume.

Kale and/or Swiss Chard

walnuts

raisins

crumbled gorgonzola cheese or parmesan cheese shavings

Remove the tough stems from the kale and roughly chop the leaves. Do the same with the chard, leaving some of the stem. Wash and dry leaves well. Toast walnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes over low heat. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and toss it with the vinaigrette (recipe bellow).

Vinaigrette:

This recipe makes 1/2 cup of dressing, make more if needed, or store left overs in the fridge if it's too much.

1/4 cup of olive oil

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of honey

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano (optional)

Place all ingredients in a jar, close the lid and shake it well. Alternatively, whisk it with a whisk or fork in a bowl until combined.

And did my kids, in fact, eat this salad made of kale?

Well, yes and no.  {Oh, and we only used the kale...  And Marryn and I were the only one with blue cheese.} 

Marryn- Loved dressing and blue cheese.  Did not like the raisins or walnuts.
Reganne- Hated the dressing and raisins and only somewhat liked the walnuts.  

Christian- Hated the dressing, LOVED the raisins and only somewhat liked the walnuts.  

So the next night when we made it again, Reganne and Christian got a more simple salad - kale and ranch.

They ate it right up.  

{And I used parmesan this time-equally good.  But then again, I love any kind of cheese...}

So even if you don't make this recipe (which I throughly urge you to do), substitute kale in for any salad green in your favorite recipes or just eat it plain with any dressing.  It has a great mild flavor, which I personally prefer over our standby romaine.  Hoping to try it with a chard next time.

And here's a trick I've found helpful in helping kids eat their leafy greens.  Cut it up.  Cut it up small.  It's easier for them to pick up (by hand or fork) and chew.  Christian will spit out the big pieces of salad, but if they're small, he eats them no problem.  Usually.  Especially if ranch is involved. :)  Which leads me to trick numero dos.  Find a dressing they love.  But only use it sparingly.  Don't drown their salad in it, you want them to learn to love the greens, not just eat them because they're no longer recognizable.    


But I guess if it gets the greens down... :)