Wilted Kale Salad with a Creamy Chipotle Dressing

Inspired by the classic kale & avocado salad, this dish was a hit in NY when I made it, almost on a daily basis, for everyone at The Plant.

Chipotle peppers are jalapeno that have been smoked, and so are not raw.  However, I love to use them as they have such a great taste and you don't need to use many!  I have provided an alternative combination of ingredients in the recipe as a substitute to using jalapenos that will give a similarly distinctive taste.

This is a real hearty meal with a kick that's perfect for those cold winter days!

Wilted Kale Salad with a Creamy Chipotle Dressing

Serves 4-6

For the wilted kale

4 heads kale (this will seem like a lot but will wilt down when the salt is added)
2T salt
2c baby tomatoes, sliced
1c hulled hemp seeds

For the dressing

3 avocados
2 chipotle peppers*
½c olive oil
2T agave
¼c lemon juice

*If not using chipotle peppers, substitute with onion powder, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and tamari/nama shoyu

• Remove the stems and then wash and cut the kale into small pieces.  Place into a bowl, add salt and start to massage the kale until it wilts and takes on a ‘cooked’ texture.

• Add the tomatoes and hemp seeds to the bowl and mix in by hand.

• Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until creamy and mix into kale by hand.

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Comments

[Kristen]

This is the greatest salad in the world!!!! We miss it so much here at The Plant! I think i've had dreams about it.

This recipe is perfect for getting your greens, is sooo filling, and is nice and tender instead of leafy and chewy.

Awesome recipe! I have a little variation, too (hope you don't mind, Russell!): use sesame tahini instead of a avocado to get an extra calcium boost! Woo!

[Dhrumil]

I'm feeling this salad. Can't wait to try it this weekend.

[Russell James]

Kristen: I'd forgotten about your tahini variation. Absolutetly delicious!

Dhru: Thanks for posting on your site...enjoy!

[Carla]

Hi Russell!

I FINALLY got to try the salad. There was never any left over at The Plant for me to enjoy! Now I had it ALL to myself. My husband loved it too. Thanks for sharing your recipe. It was awesome.

NYC misses you!

Cheers,
Carla

[Russell James]

So you finally got that kale to wilt eh Carla?!!

Perhaps you could take some down to Kristen & Anna? Maybe not, they never left you any! :0)

[Carla]

Just so you know, this salad has been a favorite amongst clients and friends... I made it for a bunch of us attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition who are staying with me and we took it for lunch for two days straight. You're keeping us alive!

P.S. I got the camera...and the lense! Watch out world!

[Russell James]

Very cool. I'll be looking forward to seeing your photos!