Pesto Kale Salad
Are you experiencing a turkey hangover? Get some greens in you to help balance yourself out!
One of the many good reasons to eat more greens is that they are great for cleansing our system. Leafy greens are high-alkaline foods meaning they neutralize acidic conditions in our bodies that come from stress, the environment, and diets high in saturated fat and simple sugars [1].
We all know green are good for us, sometimes we just need inspiration to make them taste amazing. This pesto kale salad is a go-to for me, and even if you’re not a big kale person I promise you’ll be into this!
Pesto Kale Salad
Ingredients:
1½ heads leafy green kale (Curly Kale is better to absorb dressing than other types)
Pesto:
¾ cup raw cashews
1½ ounces fresh basil leaves, stems removed
1 lemon, juiced
Drizzle of olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Directions:
Combine all ingredients except kale in a blender with a small bit of water to make pesto dressing.
Wash and dry the kale. Tear the kale leaves off the thick stem and rip into small pieces. Massage kale with olive oil to make the leaves tender (important step to enjoying kale!).
Add the pesto to the kale and continue to massage to coat all leaves.
Serve it up and enjoy! You could top this with grilled chicken for a heartier salad, or radishes and pumpkin seeds to add some crunch.
xx Christina Tidwell, MN, RN, CHC