In a world where inspiration can come from everywhere, sometimes it seems like advice is a dime a dozen. Pick a font, slap up a poster and your motto is gold, at least for the time being. While I love a good inspirational quote, I’m finding the sheer amount of everything that I should or could be doing more than a little overwhelming. Is there such a thing as inspiration overload? I’m in a chronic state of it at the moment. Throw in work with its obligations, deadlines and general busy-ness, and I’ve been feeling really worn down.
Luckily, I have this salad in my corner. I was inspired by this baked crispy kale and coconut salad that I love – this raw version is a nice change. Our CSA is pumping out the last bits of the season and that means chard & other tough greens along with frilly heads of napa cabbage. These vegetables are staples at the moment and I can count of them being around, so this salad has been getting some frequent play around these parts. My husband is a fan because the dressing is nice and light – not too sweet, acidic or oily. A bit of raw ginger provides bite. Truthfully, I’m eating this salad because I can practically feel all that fiber and all those vitamins getting fast tracked into my body with every chew. I’m hopping on the Good Ship Good Greens.
I do feel like I should provide a warning with this salad. I don’t think everyone is going to like it. It takes a bit of work to like this salad. The greens provide the big and boldness here, not the dressing. It’s earthy and rustic and sometimes you just need something cleansing and good. This is that salad. Raw greens like chard and kale do need a massage workout to break down all that mouthy harsh fiber into something more easily chewable. I also massaged the napa cabbage leaves which don’t really need it, but I figured it wouldn’t do any harm either. After eating this salad I do have to brush my teeth immediately as it gives me something I like to call “spinach mouth” – that weird, grotty feeling on your teeth and tongue after eating a butt-load of spinach or greens? Do you get that too?
So there you go.
elsewhere: Head over to Poppytalk where I present a different version of a fall favourite – spicy squash & black bean soup.
chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw
1 bunch of chard, ribs removed (sometimes I use a mix of kale & chard here)
1/4 head of napa cabbage
1 t olive oil
a splash or two of sodium-reduced soy sauce
kosher salt
1 t toasted sesame oil
1 t fresh ginger, minced
1 t rice vinegar
1/2 t maple syrup
1 T toasted sesame seeds
1/4 c toasted coconut ribbonsShred the chard and the cabbage and set aside in a large bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil, a pinch of salt and soy sauce and give everything a good massage for about 2 minutes or until you notice a visible change in the texture and appearance of the leaves. In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, ginger, vinegar and maple syrup together and then pour over the salad. Toss and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds & coconut ribbons. Serves 3-4.
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Oh, I love that crispy kale/coconut salad of Heidi’s, and I imagine I’d love this as well! I do like salad of the good and cleansing sort. And yes: I, too, am often in need of respite from ever-present chaos and demands. Hope you continue finding that for yourself!
This sounds like the perfect recipe to have on hand now that the holidays are approaching! Detox food that actually tastes good. 🙂
Amen on the squeaky teeth thing!
Thanks Stacy for the kind words!
Joanne, it is definitely good for an after Halloween candy binge!
I know, SixBalloons, I know 🙂 Glad I’m not the only one 🙂
I just gobbled up a sauteed spinach and a fried egg concoction and “yes” I got that “spinach mouth” feeling as well. I recently signed up for a local CSA program (super stoked!) and this week I’m getting rainbow chard in my basket, so I think a salad similar to this one will definitely be making it’s way into my mouth.
Where do you find your coconut ribbons? I can’t find them anywhere! 🙁
Ha, that spinach mouth will get you every time, Joanne! Glad you’ve signed up with a CSA! This is very uber healthy tasting, but delicious too. I hope you enjoy it.
Amanda, where are you located? In Vancouver I can get them at the Gourmet Warehouse & the East-End Food Co-op on the Drive. I don’t shop at supermarkets so I have no idea if it’s easily available at chain stores!
I made this; I thought you didn’t like massaged salads? Initially I thought it would be too much food for just the two of us, but the massage cuts down the volume by about 2/3rds. Agreed that the dressing takes a back seat, but that’s a nice change. I like the subtle flavors of the dish. Judy didn’t care for the coconut ribbons, she felt that they were a bit tough and didn’t add to the overall fresh taste. But like so many of your recipes, this a healthy, tasty and new recipe, so thanks for that.
In retrospect, Judy’s concerns about the coconut might not have arisen had I managed to follow the recipe and actually toasted the flakes first.
Robert, toasting the coconut certainly helps to add flavour and texture. I think any kind of nut would be a good addition too 🙂