How can you tell if your peaches are ripe?

Good quality peaches are necessary for this recipe. To make sure you have a good quality peach, make sure you check the ripeness using a few tips. Ripe peaches should be soft and you can tell by how it feels when you gently squeeze it. A ripe peach should also smell sweet as well if you go to sniff it.

Can you replace the cashew butter in the dressing?

If you cannot find cashew butter or if you have an allergy to cashew butter you can try any of the following alternatives. You can sub out for some vegan yogurt or almond butter if you do not have a nut allergy. If you do have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter works really well as it doesn't have a strong flavor and should still make your dressing really creamy. For any of the alternatives mentioned above, make sure to go for an unsweetened, natural option.

Can I leave the skins on for this salad?

If you don't mind the skins, then you can absolutely leave them on. Leaving the skin on will also give you some extra fiber, which in my opinion is a win. For those that don't like the taste of the peel, spending time to peel them can elevate this dish to meet the needs of every palate.

Can I eat the kale raw?

You can, but I would recommend massaging your kale first with some olive oil, lemon juice and salt to help break down the leaves and make it more palatable. Massaging the kale will help weaken the fibers in the kale and also help reduce it's bitterness as well. You can also replace your kale with some spinach, arugula or lettuce if you'd like to keep it raw without the extra steps.

Is combining fruit and vegetables together healthy?

I have gotten messages from different people who have expressed concern over food combining rules. In particular, there being concern of combining greens with fruit. There is currently no evidence to say that combining greens and fruit would cause any health issues. In fact, including fruit and vegetables in this salad provides a means to increase fiber and various antioxidants, which can provide a great deal of nourishment.

Peach Avocado Salad with Cashew Mustard Dressing

Description

This Peach Avocado Salad tastes like summer in a bowl. Topped with fresh ripe peaches and a tasty sweet and tangy cashew mustard dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tsp olive oil, divided
1 bunch kale, destemmed and cut into bite sized pieces
2 cloves garlic, divided
1, 15 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed, drained and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp fennel seeds or ground coriander
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup corn
1–2 peaches, pitted and sliced thin
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 small avocado, sliced
1/4 large red onion, thinly sliced

Sweet Cashew Mustard Dressing

3 tbsp cashew butter, salted
1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard or whole grain Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, finely minced or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
2–4 tbsp water

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Instructions

Heat up 1 tsp olive oil in a large pan over medium low heat and add your garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add in your kale and sauté for a few minutes with a pinch of salt until wilted then place kale in a large mixing bowl.
To the same pan you cooked your kale in, heat up the remaining oil.
Add in your chickpeas, oregano, fennel and garlic powder and continuously sauté until some of the chickpeas appear to slightly brown, about 4-5 minutes.
Once cooked, remove pan from heat and prepare the dressing.
To a bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients making sure to start with 2 tablespoons of water. If you desire a thinner consistency, then slowly add more water to the mix 1 tablespoon at a time.
Now assemble your salad. To the bowl with the kale, add on your chickpeas, red onion, corn, peaches, avocado, and blueberries. If desired give your salad a good mix before adding the dressing or serve as desired.

Notes

Dry your chickpeas well to help crisp them up slightly as they cook on the stove top.

Feel free to chop or cut your fruits and vegetables however you like for this recipe.

If prepping your salad in advance I recommend adding your peaches, avocado and dressing in separately when you plan to enjoy the salad. I’ll prep the dressing in a separate jar and store in the fridge then pour it on and chop the peaches and avocado to enjoy over top.