In a little town called New Paltz, not far from a beautiful series of cliffs called the Shawangunks, exists a wonderful little vegan cafe called the Karma Road Cafe.

After a climbing trip one weekend, I reinvigorated my exhausted body with a wonderful thing there that they called the Kalecado salad. I recently attempted to reproduce it at home using fresh Red Fire Farm green curly kale from my weekly CSA share.

kalecado salad,
half-eaten

Here's what's in it:

  • 1 bunch fresh green curly kale
  • 1 ripe avocado

And for the dressing:

  • equal parts olive oil and lemon juice (I used approx 3 tbsp each)
  • salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste

Chop or tear the kale into small pieces. Mix the dressing together and then mix it with the kale, using your hands to rub it in. Top with diced avocado.

I'm sure avocado was in a more pureed form in the original salad, and I don't recall the black pepper, but it came out delicious even if the details aren't quite right.

Fresh kale really is better raw.

That sounds yummy. Kale is so good for you. I mostly eat it lightly sautéed with a bit of garlic and salt, but also add it to soups, omelettes, etc. I do the same with collard greens.

Comment by Tony Sat 05 Jan 2013 10:39:25 PM UTC