Nutty Tropical Kale And Rice Salad Food

CRISPY RICE SALAD WITH KALE

Steps:

• Fill a cast-iron pan with 1 1/2 inches oil and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels and set aside.
• Meanwhile, make your dressing. Combine the garlic and ginger in a large bowl. Add the Thai bird chile. Add 2 tablespoons hot oil from your cast iron into the mixture. Add the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar and whisk together. Let the mixture sit while you prepare your other ingredients.
• Add the peanuts to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and add to the dressing. Mix to coat the peanuts.
• In the same cast-iron pan, scatter the rice in the hot oil and fry until crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the fried rice to the lined sheet tray to drain.
• Add the kale, shallot, cilantro leaves and crispy rice to a large bowl and toss with the peanuts and dressing to taste. Serve immediately.

HEARTLAND CHOPPED SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan, add the dried cranberries and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain off excess water.
• Combine the kale, spinach, pear, Overcooked Wild Rice, walnuts and rehydrated cranberries in large bowl. Drizzle 1/4 cup of the Pomegranate Molasses Dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with more dressing when ready to serve.
• Combine the rice, 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt in a large saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the grains open all the way, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. The rice should be very cooked (not even the slightest chewy). Drain well, spread on a baking sheet in an even layer and set aside. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Whisk together the vinegar, pomegranate molasses, honey, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl until combined. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. The dressing will keep in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 2 days.

TROPICAL GREENS SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, orange juice, shallot, salt and pepper. Drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly until emulsified.
• In a dry, heavy skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until slightly puffed and golden. Add the soy sauce and stir to mix, then immediately remove from the heat and turn the pepitas out onto a plate to cool.
• Remove any tough stems from the arugula. Scoop out seeds from papaya, slice into eighths and pare off skin. Cut into julienne.
• In a large serving bowl, combine the arugula, papaya, Cabrales, and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle on enough vinaigrette to coat and toss gently. Sprinkle on the toasted pepitas and serve immediately.

NUTTY TROPICAL KALE AND RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Peel the mango and cut the flesh from the pit. Cut half of the mango into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup) and transfer to a small bowl. Roughly chop the remaining mango and puree in a blender with the oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of pepper.
• Cut the thick center stem from each kale leaf and discard. Working in batches, mound a handful of kale on the cutting board and gather it together tightly. Slice crosswise to make very thin ribbons. Put the kale in a large bowl and toss with the mango dressing. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 45 minutes to wilt slightly.
• Add the chopped mango, hearts of palm, rice and tomatoes; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the nuts.

ASIAN CHICKEN AND RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat rice according to package directions. In medium bowl, combine rice, chicken, snow peas, onions and dressing; blend well. Serve on bed of salad greens and top with almonds and orange segments.
• Cooks' notes:
• You can adjust the amount of ingredients based on your tastes.

MASSAGED KALE WITH TOMATOES, CREAMED MOZZARELLA, AND WILD RICE

Steps:

• Heat a glug of olive oil. Sweat the onion and garlic with the salt until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine and reduce by half. Add the wild rice and the soaking liquid and cook until tender, about 45 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, sprinkle the kale with a pinch of salt. Massage the kale until it is dark green, limp, and tender in mouthfeel.
• Tear the mozzarella into rough chunks. Combine with the sour cream, lemon zest and juice, a good pinch of salt, and a couple of grinds of black pepper.
• When the wild rice is cooked, drain any residual liquid and let cool.
• Toss the tomatoes, kale, and wild rice together with a couple glugs of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Dot with the creamed mozzarella and serve.

NUTTY BROWN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the rice and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Place cooled rice in a large bowl. Stir in the kidney beans, red onions, mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, and almonds; season with pepper. Toss salad with the Italian dressing and olive oil.
• Chill for at least one hour before serving.