Kale Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette

Man, our garden is overflowing and we're loving every minute of it. You just can't beat going outside to harvest something and then eating it an hour later for dinner. It's probably one of my favorite things this summer.

Our kale has done so well this year. I planted it in our larger garden area up against the fence and was worried about it earlier in the season, as I was afraid the fence was blocking out some of the afternoon sun. Turns out it's the perfect space, as it keeps it from that blazing hot sun that can cause it to get woody and end the harvest! We're still getting pounds of it weekly, and I'll take it as long as it wants to keep growing. This is our delicious Red Russian Kale that we grew from seedlings.

One of our favorite things to experiment with this summer has been making our own vinaigrettes. Not only is it easy, but there are so many variations you can make it just minutes. Seriously! This recipe took about 5 minutes from start to finish, and most of that was just shaking the jar.

So you can have a healthy homemade dressing on the table in a flash. Imagine how that'll impress last minute dinner guests. "Oh this delicious dressing? I just threw it together."

The secret to a tasty kale salad is in the preparation of it. You really have to massage it for the perfect texture. "Excuse me - did you say massage?" Yep, I sure did. Don't worry - it's an easy process. But it really helps to soften up the leaf and gives it an amazing texture! You just simply pour the dressing on, and then mix it well with your hands for a few minutes. It's a little bit messy of a process, but I promise you the rewards are so well worth it.

Kale Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette

1 large bunch of kale, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces

Garlic Vinaigrette
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
1 tbsp stone ground mustard
1 tsp agave
3 cloves minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a small mason jar. Place lid on jar and shake until well combined. Yup, that's it. Then drizzle over kale and mix with hands for a few minutes until well dressed. Serve and enjoy!
This also lasts well in the fridge overnight, so it's perfect for taking to work the next day for lunch!