Kale Salad

As well all know, I like to eat and bake a lot of cookies.  I do cook a lot but I've yet to give someone a plate of cookies and hear "well, these taste good BUT I'd rather have some eggplant parm" 

The first time I tried kale, it was roasted and I wasn't impressed.  The second time, I held my reservations but wanted to be polite so I took a small helping.  And I'm glad I did!  

This salad is super easy, quick and more importantly delicious!  

Kale Salad

(original recipe shared by Julie and Kate) 

(serves 4)

1 bag pre-washed Kale (easily found at Trader Joe's)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 fresh lemon

1 avocado, chopped

1/4 raw red onion, chopped

(optional: chopped raw walnuts)

Directions

Wash kale and seperate the thicker stem pieces from the leaves.  Discard stems.

Put into large serving bowl. Massage olive oil into leaves kale, this is to taste but there shouldn't be any EVOO in the bottom of the bowl; a little oil goes a LONG way.  Add avocado and onion and mix together.  Squeeze lemon juice over salad 

 ENJOY!

(right now, Stella & Dot (/Julie) is offering a huge promotion with rewards cash good towards a July purchase.  Offer ends in June so HURRY and check it out :))

Roasted Chick Peas

Or... my accidental dinner. 

Seriously, I made these on a whim and while watching a movie, accidentally ate the entire pan!  

This recipe may be one of the easiest ones I have ever seen, made and posted.  I did take the extra time to peel all my chickpeas but it's a great small motor activity! 

ROASTED AND SEASONED CHICK PEAS

(makes 2 cups/ from How Sweet Eats)

1 can chick peas (drained/rinsed)

Olive Oil Spray

Seasoning (I eyeballed sweet paprika, pepper and garlic salt)

Directions

Preheat oven to 450. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Drain, rinse and shell chick peas. Dry thoroughly.  In a single layer arrange chick peas.  Spray with olive oil and sprinkle, evenly, with seasoning.

Bake 10 minutes, flip and bake an additional 10 minutes.

ENJOY!

Roasted Green Beans

Confession time, I do not like green beans.  

I'll eat a little bit if they're baked in mushroom soup and topped with fried onions.

But really, nope. Not a fan.

Enter these lovelies.

I first made these a few months back when I made a gourmet dinner for my brother and sister-in-law (they are fans of the "greenie- beanies") and I was shocked when I couldn't keep my hands off of them.

I have since made them three more times and every time I'm shocked by how good they are.

ROASTED GREEN BEANS

1 package "Haricots Verts" /french style green beans

Olive oil

Salt, Pepper and freshly crushed garlic

(other seasonings you prefer work too!)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400*.  Rinse green beans. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Toss green beans in olive oil and seasonings and arrange on baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until crisp.

ENJOY!!!  

**(In my experience I've found 1 package from Trader Joe's feeds 3 people)**

***(You MUST use the thinner French style bean, the other types contain too much water and do not crisp/roast) ***