Recipe: Kale Market Salad with Scallion Dressing

What better way to enjoy these last few weeks of summer than with this fresh Market Salad?

Kale Market Salad with Scallion Dressing

Serves 4-6

Dressing

1/3 C Scallions, chopped

3 Tbs. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1 Tbs. Honey

5 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ Avocado

Pinch Sea Salt

To Taste Fresh ground black pepper

Place all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.  Season with fresh ground black pepper.

Salad

1 C Kale, de-stemmed and chopped

1 1/3 C Farro, cooked

2 Medium carrots, thinly sliced

1 Fennel bulb, thinly sliced

2 Avocados, pitted and cubed

1/3 C Almonds, toasted and chopped

Mix kale with half of the dressing in a medium bowl.  Work dressing into kale to soften.  Add farro, carrots and fennel to kale and mix with remaining dressing to combine.  Add avocados and almonds to salad and gently toss. Serve.

Advice: How to Use Microgreens

You’ve probably seen microgreens in the stalls of your neighborhood Farmer’s Market or on the menu of a hip restaurant- but what the heck are they?

Microgreens are nutrient-dense miniature greens that are harvested after their first sets of leaves have emerged.  These tiny but tough plants are delicious and add a great visual and textural pop to any meal .

How to use them:

Just about any of your favorite greens can come in a “micro” version.  That means familiar favorites like kale, arugula and basil are easily available, but also more exotic varieties like pak choi and tatsoi.  Flavors can vary immensely, so explore and try new types to find which taste is best for you. 

Once you’ve found your favorite microgreen, use it to top everything from salads and pasta to pizza and soups.  You can use it as a delicate garnish or a whole meal.

Microgreens with Honey & Whole-grain Mustard Vinaigrette

For the salad:

Microgreens, from a variety of plants (arugula, radish, kale, etc.)

Pecans, roughly chopped

Ricotta Salata, or your cheese of choice

For the dressing:

1/2 C Olive Oil

1/3 C Honey

2 Tbsp. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced

1-inch ginger, peeled and minced

2 Tbsp. Whole-grain mustard (like Grey Poupon) 

Salt & Pepper to tast

Whisk oil, honey, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, mustard, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over salad and enjoy!