Slice, Dice, Massage-Kale Salad

I had seen kale at super organic farmer's markets and had heard about people eating kale when they went to yoga retreats, but the texture looked too rough to eat so I never ate it...until recently.  I have been bringing this salad to dinner parties and people ask how I cook the kale for the salad.  When I tell them it's not cooked, but massaged; the reaction is usually laughter, but sometimes it's disgust about wasting a perfectly good massage on leafy greens.  You decide...here is the recipe.

Kale Salad

1 bunch of kale (curly or flat leaf), torn to bite size pieces with center vein discarded
3 stalks of celery, sliced
3 green onions, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
1 cup frozen, shelled edamame (or use green peas if allergic to soy)
1/4 cup salted sunflower seeds

Start by cooking the edamame per package instructions.  Prepare the kale by tearing into small pieces.  Wash the kale by placing in a large bowl with water (or salad spinner) and massage the kale while it's soaking.  Massage the kale for a few minutes to tenderize the greens.  Drain water and dry kale (or spin it).  Place kale, celery, onions, and cucumbers into a large salad bowl.  Add the hot edaname to the bowl and toss.  The hot edamame will slightly steam the kale greens.  Add the dressing and toss, sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

Lemon Dressing:

Juice of one lemon
3 TBSP of olive oil
1 teas honey or agave
1/2 teas kosher salt
1/2 teas fresh ground black pepper
1/2 fresh garlic or Rinaldo's Garlic Gold Nuggets

Whisk dressing ingredients until well blended.

The Art of the Picnic

THE ART OF THE PICNIC

 

My husband and I received two picnic baskets for wedding gifts.  I am sure they were given with the intended use for romantic, leisurely afternoon picnics.  One basket currently holds most of my knitting supplies and the other was given away.  So, what would I know about the art of a picnic?  I will admit that I am not an expert, but it's an evolving practice that I would like to share with you. 

Before the introduction of kids and kids with food allergies to our lives, our day of adventure never involved planning.   The most we ever packed was fruit, granola bars, and water.  If we were hungry, we just ate out at a restaurant.  Once we had our kids and we were dealing with food allergies, getting out didn't seem like much fun.  It was difficult to impossible to eat out, and I felt like packing food was a curse due to the allergies. 

It was not until a vacation to see our family in Washington State that I really started to embraced the art of the picnic.  I was forced to change my habits about meal planning and eating if we were to happily hang out with my sister in law, brother in law and their 5 kids.  I was trying to eat at home prior to meeting up with them for the day.  This required elaborate effort to eat and be ready; and it usually meant we were eating early and cutting short another activity.   Once we met up with them we would discover that they had a feast of food that they brought to the beach or the playground.  We sat around watching them eat.  It was the day they arrived at the beach with a bottle of champagne that I decided to change my ways! 

I had previously viewed packing food as a chore we did only because our family was coping with food allergies.  After seeing another family pack lunch and view meal time a bit more casually, I began to see packing as an outlet for more fun and adventure.  Below is my list of picnic items and pictures of the places we have enjoyed a picnic in 2013.

  So what else was in that basket beside champagne?

 

 

Sharp Top Summit, Peaks of Otter, Virginia

1. Vegetables:  Sliced, chopped, whole.  Pick from cauliflower, broccoli, celery, carrots, cucumbers, avocado, cherry tomatoes, etc. 

2. Fruit:  The possibilities are endless for this one!  Consider squeeze containers of applesauce to eliminate the need for utensils.



Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
Chaco Link

3. Dips:  Hummus and refried beans can easily add some protein to the menu while caramel and salsa dips help to satisfy a craving for the sweet and salty.



4. Grains: Bread, tortillas, chips are easy to bring.

Needles District Canyonlands, Utah
Canyonlands, Utah

5. Dairy:  If you can bring along dairy, add some cheese or cream cheese to your basket to go along with your bread and chips.  Frozen yogurt tubes are handy because they will be cold upon arrival and do not require an utensil.

 

Linville Falls, near Asheville, North Carolina



Monticello in Virginia
Monticello















Tinker Cliffs near Roanoke, Virginia

 

 

6. Sandwich: Keep it peanut free by packing a sandwich with sunnut butter, almond butter, or soynut butter.  Keep it stress free at home and bring your supplies along with a knife or spoon and make lunch at your destination.

7. Drinks:  Bring water and anything else is a bonus!

Soccer Games!

8.  Etc:  Pack some plastic or reusable utensils, napkins, and Wet Ones wipes for getting clean and cleaning up.  A plastic bag for your garbage and one for your recycling.  Use wax paper when wrapping sandwiches so you will have an instant plate or barrier between the earth and your food.

The Gifts of Chipotle

My comments about Chipotle Mexican Restaurant are better late than never.  I am likely the last person to sing the praises of this restaurant, but it has truly been an important part of my Spontaneity Tool Box.  A city with a Chipotle is gift for a person with food allergies.

Red dots indicates cities with gifts!  Albuquerque actually has 3 locations.

  The Gifts of Chipotle:

1. Food made from real, natural ingredients, nothing funky like 'soy protein isolate'. 
2. Ingredients are listed on their website.  link to allergy info
3. Meat, beans, & rice are served before the dairy, lessening the chances of cross contamination. 
4. Food prepared right before your very eyes. 
5. Clean hands, clean spoons, and clean food if requested.*
6. Kid's meals!

Gateway Arch in St Louis, MO

* We have eaten at many Chipotle's across the country and we have not had a negative experience with a food allergy reaction.  I am fully aware that it could happen, but I could also be hit by a bus.  When you order, tell them that you have a food allergy and the crew steps into action (most of time).  They will wash their hands and change their gloves at a minimum.  Some crews have even used new spoons and fresh containers of meat, rice, and beans.  

 

Make the choice that is right for you and get out and see the world!