The Only Salad I Need

+The Little Helper Tool Box

I think I've written before about my obsession with Joshua McFadden's book, Six Seasons. One of my favorite recipes in the book is titled "The Kale Salad That Started it All." Apparently, McFadden created this salad when he was a chef in Brooklyn out of frustration over the lack of good salad greens available in the middle of winter. His kale salad was eventually featured in The New York Times and became a legend.

It's really everything I could possibly want in a salad. I like to make the dressing almost unbearably lemony and salty, with way more cheese than is necessary. I added white beans to the recipe because I add beans to everything! I think some type of nut, maybe walnuts, would be good too. But the beauty of this salad is its simplicity so I try not to mess with it too much.

Question: When did the garlic press go out of style? I rediscovered mine recently. Mincing garlic is one of my least favorite things to do and I'm all in on this kitchen gadget. It's very 90s and would probably get major eye-rolls from any chef you mentioned it to, but I don't care. It's my little secret. Well, not any more, I guess.

My version of "The Kale Salad That Started It All" from Six Seasons

1 bunch Tuscan kale, ribs removed, leaves cut into thin ribbons

1 small garlic clove

Juice of 1 lemon

Extra-virgin olive oil

At least 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for garnish

Chile flakes, to taste

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 cup cooked white beans

1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs or crunchy croutons (optional)

You can mince the garlic into a paste using a knife, or use a garlic press, as noted above. In a small bowl, combine the minced or smashed garlic with the lemon juice and a big glug of olive oil. Stir in the cheese and season to taste with salt, pepper, and chile flakes. Whisk to combine.

Pour the dressing over the kale, add the beans, and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Let the salad sit for at least 5 minutes. Before serving, add breadcrumbs or croutons if you'd like, and sprinkle with more cheese.

The Little Helper Tool Box

We were at the bookstore recently and I told my kids they could each pick something out. My older daughter picked out a stuffed animal and my younger daughter picked out a kid's toolbox kit. I was assuming they'd pick out books since we were in a BOOKSTORE but my bad for not being more specific.

I am the mother of two daughters and I can't count the number of baby dolls we have in our house. It's not just because everyone gives our girls dolls. It because they love playing with dolls. LOVE. I have bought cars and legos and other traditionally "boy" toys, and they usually go untouched. I even bought an entire Thomas the Train set (those are not cheap BTW!) and it was never a popular choice during play time.

But the tool box definitely got me thinking...do women builders exist? All of the contractors and construction workers I've met have been men. Every single one. I've met women architects, but not actual builders. How weird is that? I'm sure they're out there but they must be few and far between.

So my new mission is to encourage Quinn's interest in tools and tinkering and make sure she knows that women can be builders. She went to Ace Hardware last weekend with my husband, and when they got home he let her drive some nails into a board. Let me know if you have any ideas for keeping this girl amped on building!