Toasted Sesame Massaged Kale Salad Food

CRUNCHY THAI KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Drain tofu by wrapping in a towel and pressing gently. Let rest for 5 minutes. Then unwrap, cube and toss in sesame seeds. If you don't like raw tofu, check out this "Make Tofu Taste Good" recipe! Just omit the sesame seeds so they don't burn in the oven.
• Prepare peanut sauce by whisking all ingredients together except the water. Then add in 1 Tbsp very hot water a little at a time until pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• Add kale to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with lime juice, toasted sesame oil and agave. Massage with hands for 1 minute to incorporate ingredients and soften the leaves.
• Add kale to serving plate or bowl and top with sliced radishes, carrot and sesame-tofu. Drizzle with peanut sauce and serve immediately. Leftovers store well, even lightly dressed. Will keep refrigerated for up to a couple of days, though best when fresh.

EASY MASSAGED KALE SALAD (15 MINUTES!)

Steps:

• Once you've rinsed and dried your kale, run your hand along the stem to remove the green leaves from the stalky stem. You don't have to remove the stem completely (we actually enjoy the top 2/3 in the salad), but be sure to compost or reserve the larger bottom stalks for DIY vegetable broth.
• Stack your stalks of kale on top of each other and finely chop. No need to mince, just cut into manageable, bite-size pieces.
• Add kale to a large mixing / serving bowl and top with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Then massage with clean hands for about 3 minutes. The point of massaging is to infuse the kale with the lemon juice and oil, and also to break down some of the tough, fibrous characteristics of kale. This makes it easier to chew and digest, and makes for a more tender salad. Season with salt, massage/toss once more, then set aside.
• Next prepare the dressing by adding tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt (optional) to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Then slowly add water until creamy and pourable. The mixture may seize up and thicken at first, but continue adding water a little at a time, whisking until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lemon juice for acidity, maple syrup for sweetness, or salt to taste. Set aside. (Store leftover dressing in the refrigerator up to 5-7 days - sometimes longer.)
• To serve, top with desired amount of dressing and crispy chickpeas (optional), toss, and serve. Leftovers keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days (not freezer friendly). We enjoy leftovers chilled, but also find that they sauté nicely (even with the dressing and chickpeas) if you're looking for a cooked version.

SESAME KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 4 teaspoons sesame oil, 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons honey and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl. Chop 1 bunch kale, add to the bowl and toss to coat; let stand 10 minutes. Add 3/4 cup chopped roasted walnuts and 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds. Season with pepper.

MASSAGED KALE SALAD

Steps:

• 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.

KALE AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the kale, toss to coat and let stand 10 minutes.
• While the kale stands, cut the dates into thin slivers and the apple into thin matchsticks. Add the dates, apples, almonds and cheese to the kale. Season with salt and pepper and toss well.

TOASTED SESAME MASSAGED KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Pour dressing over kale in large bowl.
• Use your hands to rub dressing into kale 2 min. or until kale is slightly softened.
• Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly.

TEMPURA KALE SALAD WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS, RAISINS, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop; set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high until oil begins to glisten, about 1 minute. Cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, about 5 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and transfer to a plate; set aside.
• Wipe out pot and pour in canola oil to a depth of 2"; fit pot with thermometer. Heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°F.
• Meanwhile, cut 3 cups kale leaves into 1" pieces. Thinly slice remaining leaves and set aside separately.
• Combine sparkling water, 1/2 cup rice flour, and 3/4 tsp. salt with a fork in a medium bowl. Toss 1" piece kale leaves, 2 1/4 cups kale stems, and remaining 2 Tbsp. rice flour in another medium bowl. Pour sparkling water mixture over kale, then massage into kale with your hands, coating completely.
• Working in batches, fry battered kale until golden, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels and season with salt.
• Blend vinegar, honey, miso, sesame oil, 1/8 tsp. white pepper, 3/4 cup kale stems, and remaining 6 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a blender until smooth.
• Massage three-quarters of the dressing into reserved sliced kale leaves in a large bowl. Add reserved mushrooms, three-quarters of the tempura kale, and half of the raisins and reserved almonds; toss to combine. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Transfer to a platter, then top with remaining raisins, almonds, and tempura kale. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Kale can be prepped 1 day ahead; store in airtight containers and chill.

LEMON-GARLIC KALE SALAD

Steps:

• In a toaster oven or skillet, toast almonds until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
• In a bowl, combine lemon juice and 1 heaping teaspoon salt. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Add garlic cloves and set aside to steep.
• Working in batches, cut the kale into thin ribbons: gather a large handful of leaves, bunch together tightly, and use the other hand to slice into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. This need not be done very precisely or neatly; the idea is to end up with a kind of slaw. (Recipe can be made up to this point 1 day ahead. Keep kale and dressing refrigerated separately.)
• Place chopped kale in a very large bowl. Sprinkle surface with almonds and then with cheese, if using. Remove and discard garlic cloves from dressing. Pour half the dressing over the salad and toss. Taste for dressing and salt and add more as needed, tossing to coat thoroughly. Serve within 1 hour.