I’m not crazy about raw kale all by its lonesome, but I’ve got kale in my house almost all the time because I juice it, smoothify it, and make my beloved Chopped Kale-Portabella Mushroom Salad with Creamy Macadamia Dressing as often as possible.

But, I wondered, what about using kale for a simple salad? Could I make one I’d really enjoy sitting down to, without being put off by the green’s tough nature and strong flavor?

Success is at hand with this recipe. And it’s so lovely, to boot!

Chopped fine, paired with fresh pears, and perked up with fresh lime juice that will soften the kale even more as it sits, I don’t need to wait to eat and enjoy this salad. It’s refreshing, filling, loaded with flavor, has great texture and a bit of sweetness from the fruit… I couldn’t be happier.

This is a great salad to add to your repertoire, and to modify based on the soft sweet fruit you have in your kitchen. It would be wonderful with mango, peach, nectarine, papaya, watermelon… and probably many, many more! And the ingredients are all basic — nothing exotic whatsoever.

Make it for your next raw pot luck! 

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Recipe for: Kale Salad With Pears

(a Pretty & Refreshing Raw Vegan Recipe for Anyone)

• 2 cups finely chopped kale leaves (not the stems)
• 2 pears, cored and chopped into smallish pieces
• 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped medium-fine
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 small lime)
• 1 clove garlic, chopped fine (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1/8 teaspoon quality natural salt, such as Himalayan Crystal salt

Combine all ingredients and toss well to coat the kale leaves with the seasonings. Eat straight-away, or let sit awhile to allow the flavors to meld and the kale leaves to tenderize in the lime juice.