First Experience With Kale

This week I decided to try a new vegetable.  I went to Sprouts and found the kale was on sale. So I decided to give it a try. Of course, I had no idea what I was going to do with it yet until I came across this recipe on Food network.  Honestly, I was  skeptical to have raw kale as when I first looked at it, I wasn't sure how this would turn edible just doing  it.  All I have to say is that its absolutely delicious! It's also healthy and you get your  vegetables and  fruits in one serving. Personally, I think you can substitute  any fruit for mango  but I love mango and I had a bag of  Frozen mango that  I defrosted from Trader Joes to make it work for me. Also the first time, I didn't have  pumpkin seeds  but it still tasted great. Of course,  when I went back to Trader Joe's this week,  I decided to get pumpkin seeds to  make more of this Kale Salad and it tasted even better.

This salad is so easy to make but I really enjoyed the process of it. It's the first time I made salad dressing but I love the honey with it, as it has  a nice blend with how its made. There is one tip I would suggest here, and that is I would rough  chop the kale  leaves up and put in a food  processor.  I find  it  easier and  if you are eating  that day, you wont have to massage the kale that long. It helps  absorbs everything  better that day you're eating it when you break it down with the food processor. You can always make it the day before and  it tastes even better the next day. This  is one of the salads you don't have to worry about the leaves turning brown etc... definitely something that is a keeper  since summer is coming up and only takes minutes to make.  A very versatile  recipe that i know i will be making over and over again.

Here's a video on the salad from Aarti which is the first time I decided to try her recipe. I liked her when she was trying food network star. She's great and a natural with the camera.  In the mean time enjoy the video and recipe and let me know what you think :)

Ingredients

1 bunch kale (black kale is especially good), stalks removed and discarded, leaves thinly sliced
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons honey
Freshly ground black pepper
1 mango, diced small (about 1 cup)
Small handful toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), about 2 rounded tablespoons

Directions

In large serving bowl, add the kale, half of lemon juice, a drizzle of oil and a little kosher salt. Massage until the kale starts to soften and wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside while you make the dressing.

In a small bowl, whisk remaining lemon juice with the honey and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stream in the 1/4 cup of oil while whisking until a dressing forms, and you like how it tastes.

Pour the dressing over the kale, and add the mango and pepitas. Toss and serve.