I actually really like kale, and salads in general – not that you could tell from my Recipes page… it’s woefully short on salads. But it’s true! I’ve actually been eating 2 cups of steamed kale (or sometimes steamed broccoli, just to change it up) every morning for first breakfast, and I haven’t minded a bit. The only problem with steamed kale is my compulsion to cover it in garlic salt, which results in stinky breath and having to refill my water bottle a billion times while I’m trying to work.
Enter massaged kale… no reason to steam it because it’s already nice and soft and relaxed. You know, from the massage you gave it. This one with Avocado & Carrots is wonderful… My Easy Spicy Kale Salad would also be a good bet (and has broccoli in it!) but I’m not really down for spicy first thing in the morning.
Actually the real issue is how much I’ve been craving that Cara Cara Orange Vanilla White Balsamic Vinegar that I used in last week’s Basmati Rice with Spring Vegetables! My bottle came from this place, but there are quite a few websites that sell it. And if you live in or near a decent sized city you probably have your own EVOO/Vinegar shop! Anyway, that’s how I came to create this delicious Orange-Vanilla Massaged Kale Salad!
There’s only a tiny bit of oil in this recipe, just enough to help soften the leaves. All the flavor comes from the sweet n’ citrusy balsamic, along with just a teeny tiny bit of salt and garlic powder. It’s light and flavorful, and very easy to make.
Funny story: I had popped into my local Sprouts the other day to grab a lemon (for a cocktail, not a recipe) and bumped right into a display of Cara Cara oranges! What where the chances, considering I had never even heard of them before receiving that bottle of vinegar for Christmas?
Beautiful AND delicious, very sweet and bright tasting. Less tart than the oranges I’m used to. I would definitely buy them again.
- 1 bunch kale, washed, torn, and dried
- 1 teaspoon EVOO
- 1.5 tablespoons Cara Cara Orange Vanilla white balsamic vinegar
- A couple pinches of salt
- A little shake of garlic powder
- In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and massage with your hands until all the leaves are covered. Allow to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Taste, add more salt as needed, then serve chilled or at room temperature.
- If you used a really large bunch of kale, you may want to add an extra drizzle of the vinegar!
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Ooooh, breakfast kale!! This sounds awesome. I must look for that vinegar at our little vinegar/oil shop!