I recently got a huge box from FedEx.

It’s light…  Hmmm….  No idea what it is…

The sender…  Foodbuzz.

I remembered a while ago, Foodbuzz solicited some featured publishers who want to test Newman’s Own products and create a video.  They even said “We’ll send you a HD Flip video to make the video!”

Of course I said Yes right away.  And forgot about it. Didn’t think I would win the video.

Well, I was wrong. I did.  So in the box, there was a Ultra HD Flip Video with a big Newman’s Own logo on it, 3 Newmans Own Pasta Sauce (Tomato &  Basil Bombolina, Cabernet Marinara, and Roasted Garlic), 3 dressings (Lighten Up Caeser, Lightened Up Raspberry and Walnut, and Family Recipe Italian), and coupon for Free Thin and Crispy Pizza (<- click this link for $1 off coupon).

Very generous!  Thank you, Uncle Paul, and Foodbuzz!

The guidelines for the assignment were

1. To create a video features a recipe suitalble for an everyday meal or that can accompany a pizza.
2. Recipe that can be created in less than 30 minutes, and video should be less than 5 minutes.
3. Humorous, edgy, fun and creative.
4. And of course, feature his product(s).

As I look at these huge bottles of salad dressings, I thought “Wonder if this raspberry and walnut dressing can work on raw kale salad to streamline the steps?”  Yes, I’m lazy by nature. I always think about making things easier and more efficient - save time and money while maximizing the outcome, so that I can use them for something fun.  That’s why my clients loved me when I used to be a  Global Logistics Consultant at FedEx.  For me, from the manufacturers in Asia to the end customers around the US, or from the store or our fridge to our table where the end customers are (my husband and I), it’s the same thing!

So I poured the dressing onto a little bit of kale!  It worked!

Normally, the kale are massaged with olive oil, salt and lemon juice, then add dressing later, but with this dressing the second step can be skipped. Sweet!

The sliced strawberry against kale is so pretty! It’s like Christmas!  It’s hard to see on the video, but if you cut the green parts with a paring knife in to a V shape, and slice thin, they look like hearts!

It totally lightened me up — especially because I got to use the hand to mix the sweet dressing into kale, and Mr. tough guy Kale totally lightened up by getting a nice massage by Ms. Newman - Raspberry and Walnut Dressing (and your magic touch of course),  then marrying luscious Ms. Sliced Strawberry….  And go nuts with the addition of crunchy Mr. Pican… and they lived happily ever after.  (They taste even better the next day after the “honeymoon”.)

Seriously, kale is one of the most nutritious vegetable, highly anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, plus anti-cancerous. According to Whole Foods Market’s ANDI (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index) system, it’s on top at 1000, but bitter and tough. With this salad,  the sweetness of the dressing lightens up the bitterness of kale, it will convert the green haters to kale lovers!  This will be a perfect accompaniment to Pizza!  Stick the thing in the oven (the Kitchen Wizard will say the toaster oven for bigger time-saving — no need to preheat), and while it’s heating, you can give a nice little massage to Mr. Kale.  Then both should be ready about the same time.

This salad  make a major contribution toward  5 servings of fruit and veggie goal, so you will live happily ever after… when you make this salad regularly.

Lightened Up Kale and Strawberry Salad

• 1 bunch kale - stems removed, chopped or torn small
• About 1/2 pack strawberries - sliced
• About 4 tablespoons Newmans Own Lighten Up Raspberry and Walnut Dressing
• 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (I used picans)

1. Pour dressing onto the chopped or torn kale and massage with hands really well for about 1 minute until the kale is soft and its volume is reduced by half.  Leave alone for about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add strawberries and nuts, mix gently and enjoy!  Serves about 4 depending on the size of the kale bunch.

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Tagged as: ANDI, cooking, flip video, food, Foodbuzz, kale, lighten up, newman's own, pizza, raspberry and walnut, Recipe, salad dressing, strawberry, whole foods