This time of year I am all about simple dinners that don’t require a ton of effort or heating up the kitchen. One of my favorite things to make are simple grilled vegetables or grilled potato salads. I was making this particular grilled potato salad a lot last summer, but recently I decided to change it up a bit and use sweet potatoes.

This salad is great as a meal on it’s own, or as a side to any grilled meat of your choice (local and grass-fed, of course). This salad has a wonderful tang from the vinegar, a little spice from the red pepper flakes plus a beautiful fresh and bright flavor from the kale. The kale’s subtle and satisfying almost spicy crunch is so nice paired with the tender and earthy flavor from the sweet potatoes.

Besides being packed with flavor, this salad is loaded with nutrients and vitamins and other goodness. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, in the form of beta carotene, and vitamin C. Sweet potatoes also provide vitamin B6, potassium, fiber, manganese, copper and iron. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy, without the blood sugar spikes linked to fatigue and weight gain. Leave the skin on for a nutty flavor and even more nutrients.

And then there is the kale. Talk about a nutritional powerhouse. One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. Kale, as with broccoli and other brassicas, contains sulforaphane (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties. Honestly, I could probably create an entire post for just the health benefits and nutritional values of kale. So instead, I will just say “EAT KALE”. Eat it often and enjoy it. It is so tasty! I still have another bunch of it from the farmers market and as much as I want to make this salad again, I think I need to try something new!

What is your favorite way to enjoy kale?

What are some of your favorite things to grill?

 

 

[print_this]Grilled Sweet Potato and Wilted Kale Salad – Gluten-free + Vegan
serves 2-4

• 2-3 organic sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes – I leave the skin on since I really like it, if you do, just be sure to scrub them extra good and remove any bruises and marks
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 large bunch kale, 4 or 5 cups, washed, stems removed and roughly torn or chopped (I used some a bunch of beautiful red Russian kale that I grabbed at the farmers market)
• 1 -2 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or rice wine vinegar)
• Red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat your grill. We have a charcoal grill, so we allow it to heat up for approximately 15 minutes. Place your grill basket or grill bowl onto the grill, and add the sweet potatoes. Tossing every 3-5 minutes allow the sweet potatoes to get tender and browned. But don’t toss them around too much, you don’t want to mash them up as they get more tender. Depending on the heat of your grill, it will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to burn the potatoes, move the grill basket off of any large flames, if need be.

After the potatoes are tender and nicely browned, add the kale to the basket and continuously toss around to keep it from sticking. Cook for approximately 3-5 minutes until the kale is wilted. Remove the sweet potatoes and kale to a large serving bowl and toss with the vinegar, red pepper flakes and fresh chives. Salt and pepper, to taste. You can add more olive oil if you ‘d like, as well as some more minced garlic. Serve immediately while warm (which is my favorite way), or it would also be good room temperature or chilled. [/print_this]