This reigning leafy green is jam-packed with vitamins A, C, and K. Kale’s fibrous greens maintain integrity even in long-cooked soups and braises, but we also love it raw in salads. Just be sure to massage the leaves until they start to soften and tenderize. A few quick pickled carrots and a judicious dribble of creamy almond sauce completely transforms this dish into a hard-to-put-down dinner. Make it a regular in your #meatlessmonday rotation.
How to Make It
Stir together vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in a saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium. Place carrots in a glass bowl. Add vinegar mixture; let stand 1 hour.
Bring stock, lentils, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in kale. Remove from heat; cover and let stand until kale is slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
Stir together almond butter, lemon juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic in a bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon water. If necessary, whisk in remaining water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Drain carrots. Place 3/4 cup lentil mixture in each of 4 bowls. Top evenly with pickled carrots and avocado. Drizzle with almond sauce.