Kale Salad

I might just as well call this Crack Salad because I think that's probably how addicting it is. It is slightly modified from a recipe in Bon Apetit magazine sent to me by a friend.

My Saturday morning routine looks like this:  get up and have a cup of coffee, go to the gym and teach my Spin class, come home and make my kale salad. This makes enough for me to bring to work every day for lunch, and the occasional serving for dinner on rushed nights when there isn't time to make something else. My coworkers have threatened an intervention if I don't find another side for lunch, but I just can't stop! There are worse things to be addicted to than kale, right?

1 10 oz. bag of shredded brussels sprouts (pictured)

1 10 oz. bag of kale (pictured)

1/2 C olive oil

1/4 C lemon juice

1/2 shallot, minced (see directions below)

1 t bottled, minced garlic

2 T Dijon mustard

1/3 C sliced almonds

1 C finely grated parmesan

Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by gently processing the bagged kale in a food processor until shredded, but not completely ground up, maybe 3-5 seconds; you might have to do 1/2 the bag at a time. When done, toss into a large bowl with shredded brussels sprouts. If you can't find shredded sprouts, shred them yourself in the food processor.

To make the dressing, I have cut down on work time by doing it in a magic bullet blender. If you don't have one, try a regular blender. If that doesn't work, chop shallots separately and add to the salad. Put shallot, oil, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper into the blender and process until dressing becomes smooth.

Toss greens with dressing, nuts, and cheese. The sturdiness of the greens will hold up under this dressing for days, but if you like things a little crisper, feel free to add the dressing as you eat the salad. Store covered in the fridge.