Massaged Kale with Apple, Pine Nuts and Creamy Tahini Dressing

Serves 2

Soft, creamy kale with a crunch of apple and toasty pine nuts makes a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Tahini adds a touch of ethnic flair. Don’t worry… you don’t need to be a licensed massage therapist to make this fabulous raw salad.

Cooking Tip: Eating vegetables raw is one of the best ways to retain valuable nutrients. “Massaging” tougher greens like kale, cabbage or spinach will help “wilt” the leaves  down, making them easier to eat, yet retaining nutritional quality.

DRESSING
2 tablespoons tahini (sesame butter)
2 tablespoons vegetable stock or water
1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 small shallot, minced
3-4 drops liquid stevia or 1 teaspoon honey

SALAD
4 packed cups de-stemmed, finely chopped kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 apple, sliced into matchsticks
2 rounded tablespoons lightly toasted pine nuts

Mix all of the dressing ingredients in a small dish, mashing the tahini with the back of a spoon until there are no clumps remaining.

Place the kale in a large mixing bowl. With your hands, massage the greens with the olive oil and the salt for 3-4 minutes, until the kale has “wilted” and decreased in fluff by about a half.

Mix in the dressing, apples and pine nuts.

Food photo by Jackson D. Carson

Copyright Alison Anton. 2009. All rights reserved.