Yummy Kale Salad, Marshmallows For Toasting, Weekend Plans

Recently, Megan at Fried Green Pickles posted a kale salad recipe that sounded so amazing.  And what was even more amazing was that I already had the ingredients in my fridge.  Score!

Ian and I were both huge fans of this salad, and kale is amazingly healthy.  Usually we sauté kale with a little olive oil and chicken or vegetable broth and give it a good shake of salt and pepper and squeeze of lemon.  This is a new way for us to enjoy it, and we like that it is in it's raw form.

The recipe Megan posted was originally from Confections of a Foodie Bride, so I am thankful to both of these ladies for adding a new veggie staple to our diet!

Kale with Pine Nuts and Garlic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:

• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2/3-3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup finely shaved parmesan (~1 oz)
• Salt
• Pepper

For the salad:

• 1 bunch kale, rinsed and dried
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• Parmesan, shaved (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Add the garlic, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt, and black pepper to a bowl and whisk together.
2. Let stand at least 15 minutes if you can (the longer the dressing sits, the more pronounced the garlic flavor is - and it will only get better overnight).
3. Slowly stream in the olive oil while whisking and then stir in the parmesan.
4. Heat a dry non-stick pan over medium-high heat and add the pine nuts.
5. Toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring once or twice until sides are golden brown.
6. Coarsely chop kale and add to a large bowl.
7. Lightly toss with a few tablespoons of dressing and garnish with toasted pine nuts and shaved parmesan.

April's sidenote: In an effort to completely dodge the grocery store, I subbed in red wine vinegar for white wine vinegar and also lime juice for lemon juice.  We also used grated parmesan rather than shaved parmesan.  We loved the turnout just as much.  :)

Also, a quick thank you to the gals at Leggings Are Not Pants -- I won their 500th post giveaway and was so elated to come home to this fun package the other night --

I'm obsessed.  I've been using the Marshmallows For Toasting lip gloss daily (it looks so good layered over my fave red lipstick - Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Superb Sangria).  And oh my word, that Candy Cane shower gel puts me in the best mood each morning!  Thanks again ya'll!

Could I be any more thrilled for the weekend to be here?  Not one iota.  Tonight Ian and I are happily spending a low-key evening in front of the fire and watching this past week's American Horror Story.  Tomorrow one of my very best girlfriends is coming into town, and we have lots of fun plans for getting in the holiday spirit with a big group of friends.  Sunday I'm headed to an ornament exchange with some fun bloggers.  What are your plans?