Kale Salad

In my quest to eat more veggies, I ran across a recipe for Kale Slaw.  I really enjoy kale.  I have mainly eaten kale in soups or other cooked meals.  I was excited to try a recipe that did not call for cooking.  I found it on The Kitchn site again.  I'm getting a bit distracted from my existing stack of recipes.  I figure it would have gone in the stack if I didn't try it now.  So in a way, it all works out.

I ended up halfing the original recipe.  It called for two bunches (2 lbs) of kale.  I looked at the first bunch and thought there was no way Ben and I would finish that on our own.  We don't do well with leftovers past day 2.  Then the leftover gets lost in the back of the fridge.  I didn't want to find it weeks later.

I think a salad would be a better description than a slaw.  Maybe I didn't cut the kale into small enough pieces.  I don't know that there is a true difference in definition between slaw and salad.  In my mind, there is a world of difference.  From here on, I will refer to this as Kale Salad.

I also have to say that I was not a fan at first.  But after the first few bites, I really started to enjoy this recipe.  Have you ever had that happen?  It's like I didn't take in all the flavor until the third bite.  I enjoyed the combination of peanut with kale.   I would suggest more dressing.  I took some of the kale out of the bowl and still felt it lacked in dressing.

I'm giving this recipe 3 cookies for now.  However, I'll increase the dressing and it may move up to 4 cookies later.  Below I have put the recipe for how I would make it next time.

Recipe:
1 bunch of kale (approx. 1 lb.)
1 carrot
1 red pepper
1/4- 1/2 cup of peanuts

Dressing Recipe:
1/4 cup peanuts
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:
1.  Remove ribs from kale.  Then slice into small pieces.  Wash in salad spinner and throw into bowl.
2.  Wash and peel the carrot.  Then use peeler to cut thin strips into bowl with kale.
3. Wash red pepper and remove seeds.  Cut into think strips and throw into bowl.
4.  Put peanuts into bowl with kale and stir all ingredients together.

Dressing:
1.  Combine peanuts, oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes in a small food processor.
2.  Process the ingredients until peanuts are well finely chopped and combined.
3.  Pour portions of dressing over salad and mix together.  Use enough dressing for your tastes.  You may not need all of the dressing.  Or you could just serve the dressing on the side.

Hope you enjoy!