This green-on-green salad was inspired by St. Patrick's Day, but its fresh flavor & creamy dressing have made it one of my year-round lunch favorites.
I have a very green, yet not very St. Patrick’s Day-themed recipe today. Maybe next year will be the year that I finally decide to revamp the shamrock shake (why don’t I think of these things earlier?). But for now, I’ve got green-on-green-on-green. Kale, brussels sprouts and avocado…. with some other veggies tossed in for crunch and a pop of color.
The trick to raw kale salads is usually to massage the kale – this time I just chopped the leaves really small, mixed them with shaved brussels sprouts, and tossed it all with a creamy avocado tahini dressing to help wilt the hearty greens. Consider this one your post-St. Paddy’s day detox.
Kale Salad w/ Avocado Tahini Sauce
- 1 small avocado (or ½ a large one)
- 1½ tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups kale, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shaved brussels sprouts
- ¼ cup radishes, sliced into matchsticks
- ¼ cup thinly sliced carrots
- ½ cup white beans
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 cup chopped basil
- Place avocado, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil into a food processor. Pulse, then add water salt and pepper and blend until creamy.
- In a large bowl, toss the kale, brussels sprouts, radishes and carrots with half the dressing. Mix well, then let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes.
- Add white beans, almonds, basil and as much of the remaining dressing as you like. Taste and add more salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed.
I have tahini in the fridge to use up and think I know what I’ll use it for now! Great salad, and yes, you’re spot on with the St. Paddy’s Day Detox idea.
This is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for brightening St Patty’s day with a little post-detox! #lessguilt
http://www.coquettishmish.com
We are thinking along the same lines this week with our kale salads. The white beans and Brussels are a great addition, they turn this salad into a meal. And I love your avocado tahini dressing…make something similar often for lunch bowls and can’t get enough!
That salad looks amazingly refreshing! The dressing sounds lovely!
I’m totally down for this green on green on green action!
-Kelsey
That’s amazing. Thanks for the easy, healthy recipe. I am going to try it now.
Chopping kale into small pieces is a good tip for preparing kale! I also like the sound of the dressing. It’s a nice way to use an avocado that one might have opened a bit too early.
it looks so simple and fresh and beautiful and tasty…loved it
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
What a beautiful salad! I never knew that massaging the kale can soften it up. Have to try it next time. And yes, it’s great for post St. Paddy’s day detox =)
Juju
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
That sauce! Avocado and tahini?! How have I not tried this. I am so in love. Thanks you for this!! Happy St. Patty’s Day you two <3
I know most of the readership is vegetarian here, but wouldn’t this just make the perfect side for some Texas style BBQ?
Just had my annual homemade Shamrock Shake and desperately need a detox already. Thanks for posting this! Dinner? Done.
This looks lovely! I love your avocado salad dressing! So brilliant.
I can’t wait to make this salad. This is perfect for this time of year and all the textures look so good together.
That looks so delicious and as usual, so packed with vitamins! This is a great, high energy lunch!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
What would you suggest for an Avocado substitute? food allergies 🙁
oh so sad! I use a different sauce – maybe a thinned out hummus or pesto (like this one http://dailycove.info/2014/01/02/collard-wraps-carrot-hummus/%3C/a%3E, or maybe this one: http://dailycove.info/2013/04/02/kale-walnut-pesto/%3C/a%3E or this one: http://dailycove.info/2014/09/24/fig-arugula-pistachio-pesto-salad/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class=reply>
THANKS!
you’re welcome – ha, sorry for the typo… “I’d”… I meant to say…
Now that looks good!!! Winter meets Spring! Tom.
I think you just put all of my husband’s favorite things into one salad (well, except for bacon). Sounds delicious! This will definitely have to get made.
Yum! This would make a perfect lunch with some brown rice or other whole grain 🙂
This looks delicious!