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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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!
Posted by: Kristen | November 13, 2006 at 04:08 AM
I'm feeling this salad. Can't wait to try it this weekend.
Posted by: Dhrumil | November 14, 2006 at 12:44 AM
Kristen: I'd forgotten about your tahini variation. Absolutetly delicious!
Dhru: Thanks for posting on your site...enjoy!
Posted by: Russell James | November 17, 2006 at 09:51 PM
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
Posted by: Carla | November 21, 2006 at 02:09 AM
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)
Posted by: Russell James | November 21, 2006 at 12:53 PM
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!
Posted by: Carla | December 15, 2006 at 08:52 PM
Very cool. I'll be looking forward to seeing your photos!
Posted by: Russell James | December 16, 2006 at 09:14 AM