Lemony Raw Kale Salad with Carrots and Tomatoes

Okay...I admit it, my inspiration for this salad came from eating the kale salads at Whole Foods and Tru Foods but I have made some tasty changes.  I am so amazed at how yummy this salad is!

The good news about Kale:  It is considered to be a highly nutritious vegetable because of its powerful antioxidant properties. Kale is also considered to be an anti-inflammatory and very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium.

Ingredients:
1 bunch curly Kale or Lacinato Kale (sometimes called black Kale)
2 scallions, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and shredded
1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 clove fresh garlic, very finely chopped
1/2 - 1 tsp. Italian red pepper flakes (depends on how much heat you like)
Salt/pepper to taste
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or toasted almonds


Instructions:
Wash kale and remove the larger ribs.  Cut kale into small strips, much like cabbage slaw.  Add kale, tomatoes, carrots, and scallions to salad bowl and mix together.  Stir together lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and olive oil and pour 1/2 of the lemon vinaigrette over salad.  Toss salad thoroughly.  Let salad sit for about 1/2 hour before serving. Use the rest of the vinaigrette only if needed. Top with toasted nuts.