Kale and Avocado Salad (with corn, tomatoes & bell peppers)

Kale and avocado salad is seriously delicious, with the addition of corn and tomatoes. Add the optional beans and it becomes a main dish salad. You can use lacinato, otherwise known as “dinosaur kale” in this recipe, and it’s just as good with the more common curly kale.

This recipe gives you the option of using black or pinto beans, which makes it more of a main dish salad, or omitting them. That way, you can pair it with a companion bean dish.

What to serve with kale and avocado salad

Omitting the beans: it’s a great companion to tortilla specialties containing beans—burritos, enchiladas, and the like. A fun companion to this bountiful salad is Crazy-Easy Vegan Hot Bean Dip and plenty of tortilla chips.

Including the beans: If you choose to include the beans, consider serving this hearty kale and avocado salad with fresh tortillas — you can even use them to scoop up some of the salad, taco-style. Or, serve with bean-less vegan quesadillas. You’ll find several options here.

A few notes about kale

Though the crazed devotion to kale seems to have peaked, it’s still a vegetable that deserves a regular place in your rotation. Here are a few things to know:

• Kale is in the family of cruciferous vegetables, along with broccoli and cauliflower. It comes in several varieties, the most common of which are the curly green, lacinato (also called dinosaur kale), and Russian.
• Lacinato kale has long, narrow leaves that are a handsome forest green, sometimes blue-green. Russian Kale is also curly, with red-tipped leaves and a slightly less sweet flavor than its monochromatic counterpart.
• The mild, slightly sweet flavor of the curly variety is the most widely adaptable to all manner of preparations (including smoothies!), but lacinato and Russian kale are totally worth using if you happen to spot them.

Are you a kale fan? Here are lots more tasty, easy vegan kale recipes. This recipe is adapted from Wild About Greens by Nava Atlas. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.

Explore more …

• Kale Salad with Cashews and Cranberries
• Cool Cucumber and Kale Salad with Hot and Spicy Tofu
• Vegan Kale Caesar Salad
• Kale and Quinoa Salad with Black Beans
• Hearty vegan main dish salads.

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Yield: 6

Kale and Avocado Salad

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Kale, corn, avocado, and tomatoes add up to a seriously delicious salad. Add the optional beans and it becomes a main dish salad. Without the added beans, it’s a great companion to tortilla specialties containing beans—burritos, enchiladas, and the like.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 to 10 ounces kale, preferably curly green or lacinato
• 1 medium firm, ripe avocado, peeled and diced
• 2 cups cooked fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 3 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into short, narrow strips
• 1/2 cup green pimiento olives
• 15-ounce can (1 1/2 cups) black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 2 to 3 scallions, green parts only, sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime, more or less to taste
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cut the kale into ribbons or bite-sized pieces and give it a good rinse, then dry it thoroughly. You can let it air-dry on a clean kitchen towel; blot between layers of paper towel; or use a salad spinner.
2. Transfer the kale to a serving bowl. Rub a small amount of olive oil onto your palms and massage the kale leaves for 45 to 60 seconds, until they turn bright green and soften. Really get in there and don’t be afraid to use some muscle! The leaves won’t fall apart.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and toss together gently (use salt sparingly, since you’re using briny olives). Let the salad stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then serve.

If you like this hearty kale salad, you might also enjoy …

Here are lots more easy vegan salads & sides.