Kale Salad with Roasted Peanut Dressing

My husband and I recently discovered our favorite date spot  is closing its doors next week.  Cue the tears! The service is superb, the wine list is great, the food is a sure thing and the atmosphere is just right.  And it's really, really close to home.  Boo.  Okay, worse things in life can happen, I admit. 

On Saturday we took one last trip to the local Houston's and we both had this kale salad with roasted peanut dressing as a side to our entrees.  It blew us away!  My husband and I got every last ingredient out of the waiter and I quickly returned home to recreate it the next day.  I'm happy to say I got pretty close!  I love finding new and fresh ways to prepare greens.  I guess there is a happy ending to this story after all.

***** Kale Salad with Roasted Peanut Dressing *****

// Ingredients //

4 cups finely chopped kale
2 cups finely chopped savoy cabbage
2 scallions finely chopped, white and green parts
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 tbsp. diced mint
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 rice vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. sugar
feta and cranberries for garnish (optional)

// Instructions //

1.  Combine kale, cabbage, scallions, cilantro and mint.

2.  In a food processor, combine peanuts, sesame oil, olive oil, rice vinegar, salt, garlic and sugar and combine until completely smooth.  Poor dressing over kale, stir and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

3.  Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh feta and dried cranberries if desired.  Serve cool or room temperature.

*photos by Amy Mikkelsen