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Kale Salad with Roasted Peanut Dressing

kale salad peanut dressing

kale roasted peanut dressing


kale cabbage salad

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

19 comments:

  1. I love finding new ways to make kale salad! And I can't believe that Houston's is closing!!

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  2. This sounds delicious! I may have to give it a try! Terrible news about Houston's! Which one? Powers Ferry or West Paces? So sad.
    Cheers,
    Sara

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  3. Wow - your photos keep getting better and better. I love kale and all the flavors in this salad.

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  4. @tiffany @sara the Houstons on Powers Ferry is closing. There is a rumor that a Racetrac gas station bought the land but again, it's a rumor. Bummer, huh?

    @Val Thank you Val! That compliment means a lot to me coming from you :)

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  5. I still have never cooked with kale. Maybe this can be my first foray into it!

    Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.

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  6. Yum Amy, that looks delicious! Thanks for posting!

    Farrah (@vintagewasp)

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  7. Sad to read that Houston's is closing. Houston's is one of my absolute favorites. Thank you SO much for sharing this recipe :)

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  8. One comment mentioned Powers Ferry Road. This is where my husband and I first lived when we were married 18 years ago! And yes, I know that Houston's very well. Too bad it's closing, but glad you got the recipe for the Kale salad first!

    We don't even have a Houston's here in Fairhope!

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  9. Houston's spinach artichoke dip and Hawaiian rib eye make my world go round! Bummer to hear about yours closing! I drag my parents to the one by Lenox every time they come in town... why venture into uncharted territory when you know something is perfect every time?!

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  10. Houston's spinach artichoke dip and Hawaiian rib eye make my world go round! Bummer to hear about yours closing! I drag my parents to the one by Lenox every time they come in town... why venture into uncharted territory when you know something is perfect every time?

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  11. Any ideas on what you can sub out for cabbage? My system doesnt do so well with any cabbage, but this sounds deeeelish otherwise.

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  12. OMG this is hilarious (not because they are closing but because i just did the same thing at the same place!!!!!!!!!!! We LOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE Houston's and last time i had the apricot chicken and quinoa....AMAZING! so i asked for the recipe and i made it myself at home.....delicious!

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  13. actually i think it was apricot chicken and couscous...but either way ...lol....so GOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!

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  14. @yours truely how about just an iceberg lettuce for a substitute for the cabbage? Or you could do arugula or another dark green.

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  15. @yours truely how about just an iceberg lettuce for a substitute for the cabbage? Or you could do arugula or another dark green.

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  16. Made this salad with seared tuna for dinner tonight - just delightful! Ran out of fresh cilantro (Super Bowl tacos and such), so subbed dried and mixed into the dressing. Also, switched basil for mint (personal preference). Other than that, I followed your recipe and it was so tasty! Really love the kale + tahini and kale + peanut butter combo! Thank you for sharing.

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  17. @cindy - Im so happy to hear you loved the recipe! I always love to hear good feedback. I like the idea of the basil too.

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  18. Question... 1/4 cup? teaspoon? rice vinegar

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    Replies
    1. It's a quarter cup! Thanks for catching that Loreta. Hope you enjoy the recipe.

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