If I haven’t had it in two days, I get something like a twitch. I need a dark, leafy greens fix STAT. Most mornings, I have a green smoothie loaded with kale and spinach. And if I’m feeling especially healthy, I whip up a Roasted Sweet Potato Chickpea Kale Salad for lunch or dinner. Oh, and Cheesy Kale Chips – they usually call my name around 3 p.m. This is not me bragging about my healthy diet. This is me confessing that I think I have an addiction. Halp. In all seriousness, I love that I love leafy greens! I know it’s an acquired taste for some. The first time I tried kale was in a smoothie that wasn’t properly blended and I swore I’d never try the bitter, tough green again. Fast forward to today and I literally pick the kale that’s meant for garnish off John’s dinner plate like it’s the last bite of chocolate cake on the table. This salad takes my kale obsession even further. I added in white beans, some garlic croutons, and dressed it in a simple tahini dressing. Friends, it’s like a flavor explosion in the mouth. I (literally) think I’m in love. It starts with a little kale massage to break down the texture and remove some of the bitterness. Olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic, and maple syrup infuse flavor before the dressing even goes on. If your salad tastes delicious on its own, you don’t need as much dressing! That’s my number one kale salad tip. Pre-season – it’ll get you far in life. Next come white beans tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, and fresh parsley. And while all of this is happening, roast up some simple garlic croutons and whip up my 5-ingredient tahini dressing. It’s like liquid gold as far as I’m concerned. I rarely deviate from this dressing these days. It’s become my absolute favorite for every kind of salad. I hope you guys love this salad! It’s: Super quick (30 minutes)Simple (with basic ingredients)Loaded with lemon-garlic flavorCreamy + sweet, thanks to the tahini dressingLoaded with fiber + protein (15 g protein per serving!)Satisfying + healthy& Perfect for weeknight meals and hosting I think this salad is perfect for when you’re craving something substantial but nutrient-rich. I personally love big kale salads for lunch because it means I’ve already gotten in nearly all of my vegetables servings before dinner, leaving lots of room for things like pizza and ice cream. Let’s be real – I eat greens so I can have pizza and dessert. If you try this salad, let us know! Leave us a comment, rate it (once you’ve given it a go), and last but not least – take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d absolutely love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
