4/30 Red Kale & Tamari Walnut Salad
The other day I was wandering around the produce section the way an avid reader wanders the book store, thinking, “Hmmmm, what should I buy?” I was drawn in by a bountiful bunch of red kale. Because I am relatively new to the joys of kale I am not yet familiar with all of the varieties and their idiosyncrasies. But I love a challenge. I took a leap of faith that it might be more mild than your standard issue kale and that it could be used in a salad. You know how much I love salads.
Photo By: S. Duquet
When I designed this salad I was visualizing the classic spinach and strawberry salad of yore. This is an homage to a legend. This salad is not for the faint of heart. It is significantly more substantial (read a workout to consume) than raw spinach, yet surprisingly lighthearted. The sweet and juicy fruit is the perfect companion to the meaty kale and tangy dressing. The bite of the Dijon offsets the barely bitter of the red kale and makes you want more and more.
Red Kale & Tamari Walnut Salad
By: S. Duquet
Serves four or two very hungry girls
Ingredients
1 Bunch organic red kale well rinsed and torn off of spine and into pieces
2 c sliced strawberries
orange supremes from 2 oranges (save juice for dressing)
2/3 C shredded carrots ( I bought already shredded in a bag)
1/2 c raw walnut halves or pieces
1 tsp tamari
Dressing
2.5 Tbsp juice from the oranges you have sliced
1/2 tsp tamari
1 1/2 tsp brown rice syrup (substitute agave or maple syrup if you want to)
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
Make It Happen
~ Toast walnuts in a dry pan over low heat. When they are hot, add 1 tsp of tamari to the pan and toss to coat. Remove pan from heat and let cool.
~Put kale, berries, oranges and carrots in a bowl
~In a separate bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients
~Pour dressing over salad and toss gently
~Top with toasted walnuts and fresh cracked black pepper and serve immediately
Photo By: S. Duquet
As we sat there consuming this beast of a salad neither of us could put our finger on exactly what made us love it so much but we did and there you have it. It’s an enormous bowl of health and vitality with tamari toasted walnuts. Immediately upon finishing the bowl my insides felt giddy and my body felt happy. Kale is like an amphetamine.
You are really going to love the colors and flavors of this salad. Easy to make with easy to find ingredients. Enjoy.
Have a delicious day.
Tags: compassionate eating, dairy free, going veg, no oil dressing, plant based diet, Red Kale and Tamari Walnut salad, red kale salad, salad recipe, toasted tamari walnuts, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan brunch, vegan brunch recipe, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan wannabe, vegetarian brunch recipe, vegetarian recipe, vegetarian transition
