Dishing Up the Dirt

raw kale salad with spicy peanut vinaigrette

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Something really wonderful is happening…..

We don’t go to the grocery store for anything other than pantry staples, beer and wine.  Tumbleweed vegetables are not only taking over the farm but they are taking over every meal that we eat!

Beet, kale, and carrot juice in the morning. Raw kale salad for lunch. Roasted broccoli, kohlrabi, and carrot rice bowls for dinner.  And not to mention all the snacking we do on raw veggies all day long. It’s the best!

We are working our tails off and every hour spent hunched over, lifting heavy objects, sweating, crying, and not to mention the heat stroke that comes with it all is finally paying off. We are eating like kings!

Our goal for this first season farming on our own is to break even with the investment that we have put into starting the farm. So far we are right on track (and I don’t want to jinx it, but we may even make a profit this first year!) The future is looking bright!

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Hey look Dad….The corn is knee high by 4th of July!

Okay, I’m only 5’1. But still…..My dad came out over a week ago and none of us were sure that our corn would be “knee high by 4th of July.” Taylor took this photo of me on July 4th. I think our corn is right on track (despite how short I am!)

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My dad wasn’t the only one who has come out to help recently. My mom drives from Portland every Friday to pick up the CSA boxes that we provide to some of our favorite Portlanders.  My mom usually stays for a while to help us weed. She is AMAZING!

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Between 90 degree days, 10 hours spent hunched over in the blazing sun, and a small appetite this lovely kale salad really hits the spot. Pour yourself a glass of wine, play your favorite tunes and dig in!

Raw Kale Salad With Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 15 mins    Cook Time: 0 mins    Serves: 2

  • 1 large bunch of curly kale, (or your favorite variety) stems removed and chopped into bite size pieces.
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas, (if canned, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 2 carrots, cut into very thin slices
  • 1/2 of a red onion, diced
  • small handful of crushed peanuts
  • For the dressing
  • 3 TBS smooth organic peanut butter
  • 3 TBS warm water
  • 2 1/2 TBS tamari (organic low sodium if possible)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 TBS honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Preparation

  1. Toss the kale, onion, and carrots together.
  2. Combine all ingredients for the dressing and use and immersion blender to process until smooth. (you can use a regular blender or hand whisk as well)
  3. Pour half the dressing over the kale and massage the dressing in. (This will help take away any bitterness in the kale leaves)
  4. Add avocado and chickpeas. Pour the remainder of the dressing (or if it's too much dressing save for another use)
  5. Enjoy!

Notes

This kale salad will keep really well in the fridge for up to 3 days. As always adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary.


Leave a Reply

29 thoughts on “raw kale salad with spicy peanut vinaigrette

  1. You two must be the healthiest people on the planet! You inspire me to eat better daily though – now if only I had access to that amazing farm! Keep up all your hard work!

    1. Lauren says:

      Totally agree!

  2. lisa fine says:

    I love spicy peanut sauces. Josh often makes a stir fry for dinner, and he’ll top it all off with a spicy peanut sauce. I’ll have to try your vinaigrette too. 🙂

    And keep those farm photos coming! The mountain views are incredible.

  3. This sounds so good! I have been loving anything that involves kale, lately. The dressing sounds awesome, too! I cannot wait to try it :).

  4. liz says:

    Don’t put photos of me on the blog unless they’ve been photo shopped and air brushed!

    1. Andrea says:

      you look beautiful and just like a farmer in these photos!!! XO

  5. So glad to hear that everything is going so well at the farm!! Peanut dressing can sell me on anything… can I drink it with a straw please?

  6. Ann says:

    I made this last night but switched out the chickpeas for black lentils which was what I had on hand. The dressing is kickA. Thanks for posting such great recipes.

    1. Andrea says:

      So glad you enjoyed this!

  7. sounds yummy! I can’t get enough salad right now.

  8. Julia says:

    Glad to hear your hard work and investment is paying off! Your salad looks incredibly tasty…a glass of wine, some great music and this salad sounds like the perfect evening!

  9. Aw, this made me smile! I’m so happy your farm is doing so well and I’m jealous of all of your home grown produce! Your mom is so sweet to come help y’all. That hunching over does look killer on your back. You need some kind of hovering bed that you can lay on while you pick them. That’s realistic, right? 🙂

  10. Carrie says:

    Your mom really is amazing!

  11. Wow! This kale salad with peanut dressing might just be my only way to feed my daughter Kale! I’ve tried kale chips, green smoothies without any luck – but this peanut sauce sounds and looks mmm mmm good!

  12. Isn’t it wonderful when your grocery bill diminishes?! And I love the idea of working in a place where everything around you is a potential snack!

    This salad looks awesome–pinned!

  13. This must be really amazing !
    It looks so delicious

  14. Wow – fresh veggies all day long! I’m beyond jealous! And oh my, that salad looks so delicious! I must make that dressing.

  15. Knee high by the 4th…I love it. Lots of hard work…I’m glad it going so well.

  16. Juli says:

    Wow!!! This is the first recipe I’ve made from your blog. I’m going back to look at all the other ones. This salad was AMAZING!!!! Thank you!

  17. Nancy Kotheimer says:

    I especially want the cilantro hummus, kale salad, and beet dill and lemon sandwich–have a cookbook? Any othe suggestions?????? Everything else is coming thru–just not the printed recipe–all the pictures and all the text–EXCEPT the recipe ingredients and instructions! Any suggestions?

  18. Nancy Kotheimer says:

    I especially want the cilantro hummus, kale salad, and beet dill and lemon sandwich–have a cookbook? Any other suggestions?????? Everything else is coming thru–just not the printed recipe–all the pictures and all the text–EXCEPT the recipe ingredients and instructions! Any suggestions?

  19. Amy says:

    I made the kale salad today and added sweet red peppers since we have them in our garden. I love this salad!!

    1. Andrea says:

      I’m so happy you liked it! the red peppers sound like a great addition!

  20. Stef says:

    Wow! Thanks for posting, I just made this vinegrette and used it to top my raw kale salad (which had cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded carrot, slivered almonds, and goji berries). It’s delicious! I also added just a splash of rice wine vinegar to the dressing, and let it marinate for a few minutes to soften the kale slightly. It’s hearty enough to compete with the tough leafiness of curly kale and makes a great lunch! I’ll be making this again 🙂

  21. Chris Y, says:

    This looks great! Thank you – always looking for new ways to enjoy the wonders of kale.

  22. Tammie-Jo says:

    I made this for Christmas and it was so delicious! Thank you for such a great kale salad!
    Happy New Year!

  23. Rob says:

    This has quickly become one of my go to recipes. It’s so good and simple! I’m eating it as I type this comment. Thanks!

    1. Andrea says:

      I’m so happy you love it too!!! Who knew kale salads could be so good right? Thanks for the comment. Have a fabulous day!

  24. Gillian says:

    I’ve been making this recipe at least once a week for the past few months– it’s the best kale salad I’ve ever had! Kudos on the amazing recipe and fantastic photos. I’ll be following your blog religiously for more amazing recipes!

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