One of the many wonderful things about Kale is that it grows all year ‘round. So it’s healthy and fresh and can be found locally even in our cold and grey winter months.
We just came out of holiday food-a-palooza and whether your December was full of latkes or sugar cookies or none of the above you can probably use some more kale in your life.
Rather than focus on what NOT to eat things tend to work better when we have concrete healthy and delicious things we ARE going to put into our bodies.
One of my favorite dishes to counter balance the grease of a delicious latke meal is the simple yet amazing Massaged Kale Avocado Salad! I first learned about this salad as a raw foodist favorite. Because it’s raw it’s a terrific form of cleansing refuge and it provides a perfect contrast to the heaviness of the usual holiday fare.
A plug for the massage:
Don’t skip the massaging step. I know it might feel up close and personal, it’s a perfectly healthy way to handle your food as long as your hands are really clean and you’re not sick. Massaging the kale with your hands works the acid and salt into the leathery kale and alters it’s properties effectively “cooking” it making it soft and yummy to eat.
You’ll need: 
- 2 avocados
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 large bunches of kale with stems and ribs removed
- Olive Oil 2-4 tablespoons (depending on your taste)
- Cayenne – a pinch
- Salt – a pinch
Here’s what you do:
Mix the avocados, oil, cayenne and salt in a bowl with a fork. You can also use a food processor if you prefer.
Rip your washed and stemmed kale into bit sized pieces or for a fancier affair you can chiffonade the kale by rolling it tightly and cutting it into long thin ribbons.
Now this is important – WASH YOUR HANDS… including under your finger nails. We’ll wait (you’ll thank me later)…
…
Ready? Okay, in a large bowl with breathing room place your kale and massage your dressing into you kale with your hands until each leaf is coated thoroughly. You can serve with a garnish of avocado or tomato.
Enjoy!
Contributed by Camper Becka Tilsen
