SUPER KALE SALAD

Well it is great to be back home after a nice lengthy vacation. We vacationed in Whistler where the whole family enjoys spending the days on the magical Canadian slopes. You can imagine that a day of skiing can really get your appetite going. I love skiing, it's is a great work-out and being in nature just makes it even better. We also love how every year we just keep getting better. We conquered black runs and many of the very difficult blue runs, luckily without breaking any bones. I like to think of my ski vacation as my get fit vacation, unfortunately this year I indulged in maybe one too many BBQ Rib meals and just plain comfort eating because of the cold, temperatures on some days were as low as -25 degrees Celsius...So a nice warm clam chowder soup sounded just perfect...Well halfway into my vacation those Roxy pants were not fitting any looser...So I immediately made a correction and looked out for better, wiser and leaner food choices...One of my favourite cafes in Whistler is the Lift Company Coffee Shop...They not only make the best soy lattes...(had one two many of those as well)...
One of their specialties is their SUPER KALE SALAD.. to be honest I did not ask them what was in it, but from what I can remember, the ingredients listed below are very close to the mark.
I like this salad because it is extremely high in nutrients and super foods...all the goodness you need in one quick meal. This salad can be made and stored for a couple of days because the Kale is very sturdy and will not wilt like lettuce or other leafy vegetables.
It is very lean and can be a complete meal on its own. Its great for vegetarians and if your pants are fitting a bit too tight!!!

ENJOY

Ingredients :

1 bunch of kale
300g of cherry tomatoes or more if you like
1 cup of uncooked barley
1 can of chick peas
7 or 8 sundried tomatoes
1 small red onion
1 large scallion
5-6 olives
1 handful of pine nuts
1/2 can of black beans (optional)

Dressing Ingredients:

Juice from one lemon
Olive oil
Garlic salt
Pepper
Gourmet Garden Thai seasoning (lemon grass, ginger, coriander, chilli)

Chop up the kale finely (don't use the stalks as they are too chewy, but if you like the texture keep them.) and place in a large bowl...

Cut the olives, tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, scallion and add to the kale.
Empty a can of chick peas (wash and drain) then add them to the kale as well. Also add black beans if you like. Pine nuts are also a great addition make sure to toast them before you add them in.

Boil the barley for 20 minutes, depending on the brand it will say on the package. I boil it in lots of water and some salt.
When it is ready drain and add to the kale and other ingredients.

The dressing is easy just stir in all the ingredients until you have an even consistency...please add as much or as little olive oil as you like. I probably use 3 tablespoons maybe a bit more...it depends if you like it to taste tangy or less tangy.

TOSS TOSS MIX MIX and your salad is ready.

Stuffed Dates

I really like this recipe because it is quick and easy and makes for either a nice dessert or hors d'oeuvre's to nibble at the beginning, before you and your guest sit for dinner. It is also very nice to serve with red wine.  Since it is quite heavy and strong it is best eaten when cold but I served them in the Australian Spring/Summer.

Ingredients:

20 dates (or 3 per person)

1 pack of creamy gorgonzola cheese (if you find the gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese pre-mixed in the package that is also a good option for those who would like a milder gorgonzola cheese….if you have no luck finding this and you find blue cheese add that with a bit of Philadelphia cheese to soften the strength of the blue cheese.) 

Use dried dates, cut them in half and remove pits.

Once the dates are cut and the pits have been removed, fill each date with a small spoon of creamy Gorgonzola cheese.

Serve on a platter and they are ready.

( I recommend you serve these for your guest and spare yourselves the calories...LOL...but I mean it ; )

The combination of flavors explode in your mouth!!!! They are divine….