Luann's Kale Salad

I found this recipe for Luann's Salad at Iowagirleats.com. The salty crunch of the peanuts, the sweet crunch of the apple, and the tartness of the cherries and onions all come together for a great really quick salad.

Serves 2 as a pretty big salad, or makes a big bowl for several people as a side

1 bunch curly kale
scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped OR 1 cup fresh pomegranate arils
1 apple, chopped
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped (could use walnuts, almonds or sunflower seeds)
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar ( I used honey)
Pepper

Wash kale, then tear leaves from tough stems and pat dry. Cut or tear leaves into bite sized pieces then add to a large bowl. Massage kale with fingers for two minutes, or until kale is dark green and tender. Add red onion, dried cherries (or pomegranate arils,) chopped apple, and peanuts, then toss to combine.

Dressing:

Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, and pepper to taste in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake to combine then drizzle over kale salad and toss well.

Broccoli Kale Slaw

How could I have forgotten to post this Broccoli Kale Slaw salad? I have made it so many times and it is yummy! It keeps surprisingly well if you dress it the night before and have leftovers for lunch the next day. I use dried cherries instead of the dried cranberries just because I love me some cherries! Great quick weeknight meal too. ..sometimes I will add some chopped fuji, or honeycrisp apple up in there too. This is a copy cat recipe from Tracy at Shutterbean - she created it wanting a fresh alternative to the Trader Joe "salad kit" for Broccoli Kale Slaw. As Tracy states in her recipe post get in there with your hands and massage the kale with the dressing. (Kale likes a good massage - who doesn't! Kale knows whats up! Massaging kale takes it from bitter and tough to silky and sweet. Kale is a lot like us isn't it!) Serve with crusty bread.

Bean and Kale Soup

1 pound hot or mild italian sausage (removed from casings)
1 onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
6 large carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 boxes low-sodium chicken broth
7 stems kale or swiss chard, cut off stems and chopped
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 potato, peeled - left whole
salt, pepper to taste
1/4 tsp oregano
red pepper flakes to taste, optional
bay leaf
1 cup small pasta, cooked
parmesan cheese, grated

Saute the sausage in a large pot in a little olive oil until browned. Add onion, celery, carrots, and saute about 5 minutes. Add garlic saute for 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth, kale, beans, the whole potato and seasonings. Cook for 1 and a 1/2 hours. Take the potato out of the soup and mash with a fork (mash some of the beans too) this will thicken the soup.

Add some of the small cooked pasta to an individual soup bowl and pour ladle of soup over the pasta. ( This way your leftover pot of soup won't have mushy pasta floating in it if you keep it separate from the soup, or if you freeze the soup for later.) Sprinkle some parmesan cheese over the top, and serve with a piece of crusty bread.