Superfoods Salad! Warm Kale and Oven-Dried Tomato Salad

The term "superfood" is in the news a lot lately, and for good reason.  Science is proving that some foods are just better for you than others.  These superfoods are high in nutritional value and have been shown to prevent a host of diseases, from diabetes to cancer to heart disease.  Why wouldn't you eat these dietary power-houses every day?


Well, aside from berries and nuts, some of these super-foods aren't very "fun".  Broccoli?  Mustard greens?  Lentils?  We know they are good for us, but sometimes it sounds more appetizing to eat french fries than flax seeds.  The trick, as with most things, is preparation and presentation.

Tiny spokesmodel, or giant bag?

I found a 10-ounce bag of pre-sliced kale at Trader Joe's for $2.00.  That's a great deal!  Now to dress it up visually, jazz it up taste-wise, and add even more superfoods to the mix.  Voila!  Superfood Salad!  Serve this warm with any lean protein and get a big dose of vitamins, fiber, and cancer-fighting antioxidants.  Healthy and delicious = super!


Warm Kale and Oven-Dried Tomato Salad


Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce bag of kale, or three large bunches of kale, tough stems removed
• 3/4 cup broth or water
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup Oven-Dried Tomatoes packed in oil, with 2 tablespoons of the oil, or prepared sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 1/2 cup almonds, lightly cracked
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• squeeze of lemon or lime
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Wash kale and remove tough stems.  If using bunches of whole kale instead of a bag of prepared kale, tear into bite-sized pieces.  
2. Heat sauté pan on medium heat and add olive oil.  When hot, add kale and broth and cover, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
3. Remove lid and add oven-dried tomatoes and tomato oil.  Stir to combine and lower heat, cooking until the broth has evaporated.
4. To serve:  pile kale on plate, add cracked almonds and cheese.  Squeeze a lemon over it and season with salt and pepper.

Serves two.  I ate this for lunch yesterday.  And then again for snack.  It's that good.