Kale salads are all the rage these days—packed with uber-healthy, raw nutrients. Still, some diners remain on the fence, given the leaf’s chewy texture. Kale lovers know a few tricks to soften things up and win the skeptics over. A few fruity additions are sure to help.
We make these saucy beans nearly once a week—on nights when time’s in short supply, but we crave something that tastes fresh and homemade. There’s not much to prepare, but you might slice a sweet tomato, grate a carrot or cube an avocado while the beans cook. If you have the energy, sauté some vegetables to serve on top—corn, broccoli, carrots, greens—whatever you find in the fridge.
By the way, this is the perfect meal for kids to prepare on their own—as an after-school snack or supper for the whole family.
This simple sauté of carrots and peas is quick to prepare, but loaded with flavor. You can substitute chopped spinach, sugar snap peas or shelled fava beans for the peas. Try adding some minced ginger root for extra spice.
Serve with Indian flat bread such as naan or roti (check out Trader Joe’s frozen section) or rice. Add a bowl of yogurt raita on the side for a complete meal.
By now you may have noticed that I like a crunchy slaw. There are endless versions to try. What renders salad into slaw at a most basic level, is an abundance of crisp vegetables—cut just so. Shredded with a box grater or sharp knife or cut into julienne, matchstick-sized lengths—any of these will do. It all depends on your preference. For some reason the mere act of cutting the veggies this way creates a different feeling in the mouth—something close to sublime. Ask any crunchy-raw-vegetable-addicted slaw fiend.
(Serves 4)
During tomato season substitute a chopped medium tomato and small onion for the salsa in the beans—although the quick trick in a bottle is a welcome friend on a busy weeknight, any time of year. These tacos are loosely inspired by the crunchy cabbage slaw I love on baja fish tacos, and would serve nicely in that way, too. Or by itself with another entrée. The beans are great tucked into a cheese quesadilla, if you have any leftovers.