Kale and Red Cabbage Detox Slaw

I am always weary of anything labeled "detox". What does that even mean? If I drank a bottle of poison, then ate this salad would I be cured? Is that a little dramatic? Lol, ya I guess. This salad is clean and pure. Raw vegetables. Nothing touches heat. A dressing containing apple cider vinegar, a great cleanser, and olive oil. Protein and healthy fats from pumpkin and sunflower seed. I am guessing that is as cleansing as it gets? 

Kale and Red Cabbage Detox Slaw

2 cups raw kale

2 cups red cabbage

1 large carrot or 6-7 baby carrots

1/2 cup fresh parsley

1/2 cup red or green onion

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

salt & pepper to taste

Chop kale and cabbage into thin slices and add to a bowl. Grate or very thinly slice your carrots and add to bowl. Finely slice red onion and chop parsley, and add to bowl along with sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. 

In a smaller bowl add vinegar, oil, mustard and salt and pepper. Whisk until emulsified and pour over slaw. Toss to coat. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour to allow flavor to combine. 

This is also super easy to make into an Asian slaw, which I did the second time I made it. Add some red peppers and sesame seeds. For the dressing use sesame oil, ginger, rice vinegar and a little soy sauce. It is a great way to continue to reap the benefits of such a healthy salad, but have a totally new flavor!

Sesame and Scallion Pea Shoot Salad

You may have never tried pea shoots, or even heard of them. Honestly the first time I saw them in a store was just over a year ago. Safeway just threw them next to the bean sprouts and I threw the in my cart. I had never eaten pea shoots before, but they are just the tender tips of a regular pea plant. They can be eaten raw, in a salad, or stir fried. They are super good for you and packed with vitamins. This recipe is perfect for your first time using pea shoots, because you can still taste the subtle pea flavor and it is easy peas-y. See what I did there....with the peas. Get it? 

 Sesame and Scallion Pea Shoot Salad

2 cups pea shoots

2 tablespoon rice vinegar

2 tablespoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon grated ginger 

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

2 scallions, sliced on the diagonal

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

In a medium sized bowl whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, scallions and sesame seeds. Add pea shoots and toss to coat. Serve alone, or on top of your favorite salad. 

Crispy Baked Kale Chips

These have been all rage on the the ol' in-tro-net lately. The reviews below are just a few I have seen:

"They taste just like potato chips!" 

"I ate the whole batch."

"No more junk food for me!"

My replies: 

"Not a chance."

"Is the batch size 2 chips?"

"Suuuuuuure."

Anyways, so I thought I would give these a try. I don't really even eat chips, but kale is super healthy for you (in the cabbage family) and who doesn't love a crispy treat? The original recipes that I have read call for oil, and salt and pepper. We can do better than that! With a few tweaks, I will have to say these are pretty scrumptious. Also very hard to make... because the time has to be exactly perfect. Too long and the leaves are burnt. Not long enough and it is just a warm leaf. But give this a try and see how it goes for you!

Crispy Baked Kale Chips

1 bunch of kale

Olive oil

Garlic Salt, Barbeque Seasoning, or spice of choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Wash and dry kale. Using a knife remove the thick stems, then tear into bite sized pieces.

Add kale to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with seasoning of choice. I used barbeque spice, but I think curry powder & garlic salt might be great too! Toss to coat, and try to really coat each leaf with oil.

Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minute. Carefully monitor, and when edged of leaves begin to brown remove from oven. 

I was amazed at how crispy these were! Definitly not "just" like potato chips, but still hits the crunchy spot!