Insalata Amore.

Happy Happy Wednesday y'all!

Wouldn't you know? I absolutely love salads! Now, I'm not talking about those salads that consist of five-day-old romaine lettuce, a few strands of red onion, and a bland dressing. No, salad is a different kind of concept around these here parts. 

You see, my salads are basically "banging" in street speak. They are loaded with all kinds of good stuff. Basically, I see a salad as one GIGANTIC opportunity to throw together whatever I want into a bowl. Let the salad be your canvas, and pretty much go crazy. It allows for creativity. So, today, I have made y'all a killer salad. Because I am obsessed with kale...

we use TWO 

kinds!

Then we make a simple, homemade, slightly sweet, tangy, and creamy, strawberry balsamic dressing.

We are pretty much good from here on out.

This will change your life.

But wait...then we add juicy, ripe, peaches y'all. 

Oh, and some plump raspberries!

BADA-BING!

Now that is what I call a salad!

 

 Perfectly crisp, cool, and refreshing for those hot summer nights. 

Oh, and did I mention...absolutely delicious?

Let's meet for cocktails later this week, shall we?

Sweet Peach and Berry Kale Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing (GF/V):

Ingredients:

For the salad:

2 small bunches of  lacinato kale, ribs leaves removed from ribs and torn 

1 bunch of curly kale, leaves removed from ribs and torn

salt and pepper, to taste

2 large, ripe, yellow peaches, pitted, and sliced lengthwise into thin slices

1 c. fresh raspberries 

1 c. fresh sliced strawberries

For the dressing:

1 c. fresh strawberries

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 T. balsamic vinegar

1 t. agave nectar (or honey)

pinches of each salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the kale in a large bowl.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, blend all of the ingredients for the dressing together until smooth.

3. Pour about 1/2 c. of dressing over the kale, and using your hands, gently massage the dressing into the kale. Let the kale sit to soak for about 5 minutes. 

4. Season the kale with salt and pepper.

5. Then add the peaches, raspberries, and strawberries. Toss to combine. Add a few more tablespoons of dressing if you think the salad is too dry. 

Serves 6-8.

MANGIA!!!