Roasted Cauliflower Kale Salad (vegan)

This Roasted Cauliflower Kale Salad is perfect for busy weeknights. I created this recipe on one of those nights when we had nothing in the fridge but cauliflower and kale. It's simple, easy to make, and totally delicious.

I originally decided to try and make cauliflower "steaks" by cutting the cauliflower into large think pieces. But, that didn't really work as well as planned. So salad it was!

While the cauliflower was roasting in the oven I prepared a simple raw kale salad. Then finally I added the crisped cauliflower. Sounds basic and easy? It was. But wow, it was GREAT. Better than you might imagine. 

The avocado was a winner decision. Kale and cauliflower is always better with some creamy fat.

You can use big avocado slices or just mash it into the salad so that it becomes creamy.

KALE SALAD RECIPE

1 head kale, chopped fine, bottom stems totally removed
1 avocado, cut into pieces
1 lemon, juiced
4 Tbls olive oil
1 green onion {optional} thinly sliced
2 pinches sea salt
1 pinch pepper

THOROUGHLY mix everything in a large bowl. Let sit for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile make the cauliflower and toasted cashews.

note: you might see some sesame seeds. i LOVE sesame seeds on my kale salads. you can add that as well!

CAULIFLOWER RECIPE

1 cauliflower head, chopped into fairly large pieces
4 Tbls olive oil
4-5 pinches sea salt
4 pinches cracked pepper
1 teaspoon powdered mustard {optional}
½c raw cashews

I used two separate large pans. On medium heat I head the olive oil while coast the cauliflower in the oil in the pan. I used two pans because I wanted each piece of cauliflower to be touching the pan. Let it sit for about 5 full minutes. Sprinle with sea salt, pepper and mustard powder. Then flip cauliflower and let it get cook for about 5-10 more minutes. Keep tossing for the next 5 minutes until still crunchy but dark on the edges and lightly cooked through.  

You can add cashews to the salad for more crunch, fat and protein. I toasted them for a bit because I like the taste of toasted nuts sometimes. But this is optional. 

To do so, heat a pan between low and medium. Toss cashews in the pan for about 5 minutes total. You gotta keep the moving for most of the time. I used a touch of oil, but you don't need to. 

Mix the raw kale salad with the cashews and cauliflower. 

Enjoy the weekend! Make a salad!