Posted on

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Kale Salad for Autumn


Adam took pleasure in the new life. When autumn touched the trees he had got as far as Omaha, and without question or reason or thought he hurried west and south, fled through the mountains and arrived with relief in Southern California.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Kale wasn’t served, Brussels sprouts were cooked until mushy and sauerkraut came from a can. Don’t get me started on what happened to broccoli. Some childhood food memories are best forgotten. Learning to cook vegetables with strong flavors is worth the effort. Of course brassicas are healthy, paired with the right ingredients they are scrumptious too. I’m on my way to finding the best raw kale salad. Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing is really good, the best so far.

Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing is super easy to make. The kale salad comes together quickly in one bowl. Even the balsamic dressing is tossed in with the kale, no separate bowl required. What makes the Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing special is the layers of flavor and textures. To a base of softened kale the tangy and sweet Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is tossed with olive oil to dress the greens. After that it’s all about adding pops of flavor and texture with persimmon, pecans, dried cranberries and parmesan cheese. Because it’s a kale salad, it can be made ahead of time. I can confirm leftovers make an excellent lunch. READ MORE . . .

Posted on

Quick Pickled Strawberries and a Kale Salad

Quick Pickled Strawberries

Quick Pickled Strawberries and a Salad to Remember

The word got around when a girl really wanted to know.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

More strawberries? Why yes, but savory this time. It’s spring and local berries make me insanely happy. April’s Food in Jars Mastery Challenge is quick pickling. All manner of vegetables can be pickled, with a variety of vinegars, spices and herbs. I’ve shared quick picking before, spicy red onions and earthy beets. But pickling sweet berries was an entirely new concept. When I read about Quick Pickled Strawberries I was intrigued. I had to give it a try. And wow, what a pop of flavor! Sweet and tangy, all at the same time. A salad to remember, Quick-pickled Strawberries are perfectly matched to the robust flavor and texture of kale.

Essentials

If you’re losing interest in salads, listen up, quick pickling will have you not only making healthy salads again, but craving salads again. The time it takes to make quick pickles is minimal. The tangy flavor boost quick pickles offer is nothing short of amazing. Quick pickling is not hours spent in the kitchen, chopping tons of vegetables or using canning gear. Quick pickling can be fifteen minutes of meal prep to jump start a week of healthy salads. All that is needed is a spotlessly clean jar with a tight fitting lid, vinegar and salt. The barest hint of sugar and spice add to the intrigue. The choice of what to pickle is entirely up to you. READ MORE . . .

Posted on

Garlicky Kale with Beans

Garlicky Kale with Beans

The Easiest of Recipes

“Charles placed seven eggs on top of the warming oven and built his fire carefully of small pieces of kindling until it burned fiercely. He put the skillet down next to the flame. His sullenness left him as he fried the bacon.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

This is barely a recipe. It started, as many things do, with items from the pantry. There was the push to get dinner done and fresh kale that needed to be used. The first time I stirred together just garlic, kale and beans. It needed more and I added the red pepper flakes along with the garlic. Later lemon zest and a sprinkle of cheese made this into a recipe. It has become a favorite. Fresh, quick, full of healthy ingredients, an easy recipe like this deserves to be shared. READ MORE . . .

Posted on

Kale Salad with Apples and Cashews

Kale Apple Salad with Cashews

The Apple Orchard

“And if there’s a good apple–a crisp apple–bring that too.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Trees slouch with ripe apples; robust shadows lumber across the orchard. Loyal companions throughout the year. Stoic friends in the rain and cold, staunchly facing the summer sun, giggling and whispering in the wind, patient listeners as their leaves glisten in the fog. At the banquet of autumn apples are an unwavering delight at Everett Family Farm. Flush with fruit, the trees don’t seem to mind my photos as I capture a slice of life in the apple orchard. READ MORE . . .

Posted on

Savory Summer Hand Pies

Savory Hand Pies

Summer Longing

“I don’t know whether you notice it, but it seems like every other word you say is California. Do you really want to go?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Living along the central coast of California is nothing less than divine. Except, except we really don’t have a summer. We have fog. By August there are rumblings of fall. I become anxious. Summer is like a fad sweeping the northern hemisphere and I’ve missed out on the latest trend. I long to complain about endless sunshine and a kitchen too hot for baking. Dinner on the patio without wearing a sweatshirt is just a fantasy. Actually leaving the house to go anywhere without a light jacket is just plain foolish. If by chance it is sunny, the fog can return at any time. Our summer vocabulary is studded with “when will the fog burn off” and “when will the fog roll back in”. I live in a place where a day above seventy-five is considered hot. We tend to melt at anything above eighty-five. It may be August, but I’m still longing for summer. Any day now our Indian Summer will arrive and wrap us in late season sunshine. We’re ready. READ MORE . . .