Extraordinary Chicken Salad

I'm sure the tried and true chicken salad recipe has an infinite amount of variations. I developed a recipe that I really like based on the basic recipe and a little curry with a twist.

Read on...

Macaroni and Peas with Carrots

If you like the zesty flavor of garlic you will enjoy this salad of fresh pasta, peas and carrots

Simple Cucumbers and Peanut Salad

I felt like indulging in a cucumber salad last night. I made one with a nice dressing using peanuts and

Chicken and Wild Rice Salad With Raspberries

I made a delicious salad from chicken breasts, wild rice and raspberries.

Kale Salad With Almond Sweet Curry Dressing

Creamy Almond Sweet Curry Kale Salad (wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free, low fat, low salt)

This time of the year we have lots of fresh cut baby kale, so I was looking for a delicious dressing to go with this extremely healthy green. Kale by itself is pretty plain and is best if complemented by a good dressing. I tried several non-oil type dressings and picked the things I liked the best from each. So here goes, Almond Sweet Curry dressing.

Salad Ingredients

1 pound baby kale chopped (Petersen's)
3 carrots grated (Petersen's, new this week)
1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Creamy Almond Sweet Curry Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup raw almonds (any almonds will do)
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp maple syrup (can also use equivalent stevia)
1/2 cups water (or more to thin if needed)
1 small clove garlic or can also use a shallot
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp sweet curry powder (I like Pensy's blend)
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions for Dressing

Using a high powered blender mix all ingredients until very smooth and creamy. Thin with water to the consistency you wish. Sample and add more curry if you wish. This makes a good full cup, you can easily double the recipe by doubling all the ingredients. This baby is really good and works well as a dip. Just cut back the water and chill before serving.

Instructions for Salad

Just toss carrots and kale with dressing. Sprinkle with slivered almonds and cherries.

Kick it Up

- Add an apple julienned or thin sliced fennel
- Red bell pepper julienned
- Grated Beet will give the salad a pink color
- Use other dried fruit (raisins, apricots, goji berries)
- Use fresh fruit like blueberries or strawberries

Red Russian Kale

Red Russian Kale is one of the premium ingredients in our spring mix. We also offer it separate as baby kale. It is great in soups or a crunchy salad, although we have also had people buy it to make kale chips. It is very popular with our salad loving folks with unsurpassed tenderness and sweet flavor.

Russian traders brought this kale from Siberia to Canada in the 1800's. Kale is in the brassica family and has some of the same healthy ingredients as broccoli and cabbage.

I planted a 30 foot by 4 foot bed, so we will have a good supply. It does well at cut and come again, so the beds can be harvested for several weeks before succession planting. Kale loves this years cool wet weather and has great disease resistance. So bring on the spring showers.

When choosing Red Russian Kale look for bright, fresh, firm leaves and wash well before using.

A quick tasty side dish can be made by sauteing the washed and trimmed leaves in a little butter and garlic. Or use olive oil and add bits of bacon, red pepper, onion and a spicy sausage. Yumm.

This can also be added to pasta dishes such as linguine or spaghetti.

Spring and summer kale is wonderful and healthy. Similar to many other vegetables, the light frosts of fall sweeten the kale further for the peak of the season.