Instant Pot Kale Gomae With Tahini

A room temperature summer salad

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ALL YEAR ROUND SALAD

One of the things I miss the most during this pandemic, besides seeing my children, grandchildren and friends, is eating out in restaurants. Sure, I have enough food in my veggie garden to feed the entire town, but it's nice to occasionally go out and have someone else do the cooking and cleaning up. For now, the most I will dare to do is takeout, but it's just not the same.

Recently, I was missing going to our favorite Japanese restaurant and eating their spinach gomae salad. Since I'm growing kale in two of my garden boxes this summer (see below), and not spinach, I thought I'd try making this salad at home using kale. Although most of the recipes I have found make the dressing by grinding sesame seeds, I took the easy way by starting with raw tahini.

KALE GOMAE

Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free

[makes 6 servings]

INGREDIENTS

2 bunches kale

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoons tahini

1 tablespoon gluten free tamari soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon sherry or miron

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon water if needed

1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

Prepare the kale: Wash the kale and remove the center stems. Roll up and cut in 1/2" slices. Place the sliced kale in an Instant Pot with 1/4 cup of water. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. When done, immediately release the pressure and drain the kale. If you do not have an Instant Pot, steam the kale on the stove top until tender.

Place the drained kale in a bowl and let cool to room temperature or place in the refrigerator if you prefer the salad slightly chilled.

Make the dressing: Place the tahini in a small bowl. Stir in the soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, miron and sugar. If the dressing is too thick, add a bit of water but that may not be necessary.

Toss the kale with the desired amount of dressing. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve.

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