Cauliflower Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

120 g cauliflower 

½  C sliced almonds

½ C raisins 

½  C unsweetened cocoa powder 

¾  C skimmed milk

½  C + 2 Tbsp honey 

3 eggs 

Method

In a food processor blend the cauliflower until they reach a grain like consistency. Add sliced almonds, raisins and cocoa powder, blend for a few seconds. Add in the milk and blend until you reach a dark purée consistency. 

Add remaining ingredients and bake at 180ºC for 25-28 minutes. 

Dip with Raw Cashew Nuts

Ingredients:

200 gr raw cashew nuts, soaked for 1 hour

½ glass of water

3-4 probiotic capsules

1 glove garlic

Juice of ½ lemon

Sea Salt

Method

Mix all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Season with sea salt and leave the mixture at room temperature for 5-6 hours.

You can eat this mixture with salad or with your favorite crackers.

Note! The probiotic is recommended when you undergone treatment, when you have indigestion or are suffering from constipation.

The probiotics are:

* maintain chemical and hormonal balance in the body;

* produce B vitamins, especially B12;

* support the digestive system and the proper functioning of the immune system.

Stuffed Chicken With Summer Vegetables

Ingredients - 4 servings

3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil

2 shallots, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz (227 g) fresh spinach

4 oz (113 g) goat cheese

1 tbsp (15 mL) grated lemon zest

1 tsp (5 mL) pepper

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied

3/4 tsp (4 mL) salt

1/2 red onion, coarsely chopped1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and thickly sliced crosswise

2 cups (500 mL) fresh corn kernels, (about 2 cobs)

2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped fresh oregano

2 tbsp chopped fresh parley

Method

In large skillet, heat 2 tsp of the oil over medium-high heat; cook shallots until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add two-thirds of the garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, tossing, until wilted, about 3 minutes. 

In bowl, combine spinach mixture, goat cheese, lemon zest and 1/2 tsp of the pepper.

Open each butterflied chicken breast. Divide filling evenly over half of each breast. Starting at filling side, roll up and secure tightly with toothpicks. Sprinkle with remaining pepper and half of the salt. 

In skillet, heat 2 tbsp of the remaining oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet; bake in 400ºF (200ºC) oven until juices run clear when chicken is pierced, about 12 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in skillet, heat remaining oil over high heat; cook corn, zucchini, red onion and remaining salt, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add oregano and remaining garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

Remove toothpicks from chicken; slice diagonally. Serve alongside vegetable mixture. 

Raw Chocolade Fudge

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 small ripe bananas
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 Tablespoons peanut butter
pinch of salt

Method

Blended together in a food processor, spread into a 9×9 pan and freeze for several hours.

Tabouleh salad

Ingredients - 4 servings

1/4 cup brown bulgur wheat
Juice of 1 lemon 3 tablespoons olive oil
Seeds from 1 medium pomegranate
60g of flat leaf parsley, washed and dried
30g of mint, washed and dried
4 Large ripe vine tom

Method

1. Place the bulgur wheat in a large bowl and prepare some boiling water. Pour the water – just off the boil, into the bowl so the bulgur is just covered. Set aside to soak for approximately 10 minutes, until the water has been absorbed and the bulgur has softened.
2. While the bulgur is soaking, juice the lemon and chop the parsley, mint and onions. Slice the tomatoes and chop them into medium size cubes. De-seed the pomegranate.
3. The bulgur wheat will have soaked up all the water. Once prepared add the tomatoes, onions, mint and parsley.
4. In a separate bowl add the lemon juice and a pinch of salt, pepper, molasses and sumac and mix well. Whisk in the olive oil.
5. Pour the dressing over the tomato mix, toss everything together, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.
6. To serve, garnish the Tabbouleh with the pomegranate seeds a few whole mint sprigs. Serve at room temperature with warm pita bread, falafel and hummous for a Middle Eastern treat.

 atoes
1 Medium red onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (available in good supermarkets and health food stores)
Pinch of salt
Ground white pepper
Pinch of sumac (available in good supermarkets and health food stores)

Beef with Plums

Ingredients:

1/2 kg lean beef, thinly sliced

1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced

250 gr dried plums

1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato

4 teaspoons olive oil

salt and ground black pepper

1 bay leave

400 ml warm water or red wine

2 Tbsps honey

Method

1.Prep the beef. Season the beef all over with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

2. Heat 4 teaspoons of the oil in a large, nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the beef and onion. Leave it alone to brown well, a minute or so. Stir the beef and let it brown another minute. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and 300 ml water. Cook 40 min.  

3. After 40 min add the plums, remain water, honey and stir. Cook 10 min on a low heat.

Cheese – Stuffed Beef Meatballs

Ingredient:

½ kg ground beef

1 egg

1 onion, chopped

1 pepper

50 gr oats

1 mushroom, chopped

2 gloves garlic, chopped

½ carrot, peeled and chopped

1⁄2teaspoon salt

1tablespoon fresh parsley

1⁄2teaspoon garlic powder

1⁄2teaspoon fresh ground pepper

For Cheese

½ cup soft light cheese

1 small mushroom, chopped

Salt and ground black pepper

1 glove garlic, mashed

Method

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl by hand.

Use your bare hands for best results.

Roll meatballs to about the size of a golf ball, making a small indent with your thumb to fill with cheese and then roll until cheese is covered.  

On a baking sheet covered in parchment paper, spray with a small coating of cooking spray and place balls about 2 inches apart.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked throughout.  Cool for about 5 minutes.  Serve with favorite sauce and salad.

Inspirational Weight Loss and Fitness Quotes!

How to stay motivated????????????????

It can be tough to stay motivated when it comes to weight-loss and fitness goals. Why else do so many people make the same New Year's resolutions year after year? If motivation flits in and out of your life, don't worry—there are ways to make it a constant companion rather than a fickle friend.

One of those ways is to have a solid network of friends and family that knows about your goals and supports you in all that you want to accomplish. But what if your network is in another state, on another coast, or even in another country? Or what if your loved ones just aren't supportive as you'd like them to be? The good news is that with a little know-how, you can put together a support system that will work for you—or become your own cheerleader!

For Me: 

How did I motivate myself for the first time when I decided that it is time to fight with my weight. 

I bought my dreamed jeans two sizes smaller. After 2 months efforts I could wear them and I was really proud of myself.

Then I realized that self-motivation really works.

For You:

1. Give yourself a pep talk. You may feel silly at first, but it's harder to feel unmotivated when you're literally cheering yourself on!

2. Find some virtual buddies. Technology makes it easier than ever to connect with like-minded people—and it doesn't matter where they live! Online communities can be great resources for support and tips. Chat on message boards about topics from diet and nutrition to exercise and fitness. 

3. Surround yourself with success. It may be said that misery loves company, but it should be that success loves company. Why are weight loss reality shows so popular? Because viewers can see that other people have overcome obstacles on the way to achieving their goals. Success stories can be great for lifting you up and revving up that motivation when it's lacking, and reading that someone else had the same problem and pushed through can help you push through the hard times, too. 

4. Pat yourself on the back. Even if no one else knows about your accomplishments, they shouldn't go unnoticed. Commemorate finishing a marathon by framing your bib or medal, or engrave the date of a huge accomplishment on a piece of jewelry. Not only does it feel good to celebrate the achievement, but it also serves as a visual reminder of your progress, which can help keep you pumped up on those less-than-motivated days.

5. Challenge yourself. A little competition can be good for you! 

6. Commit to weekly check-ins. Just because you live alone or with people who don't support your goals, that doesn't mean you're doomed to fail! Unlimited cell phone minutes, email, and web chats can make checking in with a supportive friend or family member a breeze. Set a weekly date with your mom, sister or an uncle with similar goals to help you stay on track.

7. Get involved. If you're new to an area, it can be hard to make friends and find that support system that makes you feel at home. Join a gym, take healthy cooking classes, or join a local meeting to find like-minded people who share similar goals. You may not click with everyone you meet, but in no time you'll have found a key person or two who can be the foundation for your new support system and will help keep your goals a priority.

8. Use your pet as a workout partner. Dogs rarely turn down the opportunity to exercise. If you have a dog but have relied on the backyard for potty breaks, start taking a trip around the block with your new workout buddy! Or get out in the backyard with your pooch to play fetch or chase. You'll often find that once you're outside and moving, doing an extra block or two sounds better than another episode of reality TV anyway.

9. Call on your co-workers. They may not be part of your "inner circle", but if you see them every day, your co-workers can be great motivational support. Make weekly lunch dates (or better yet, walk during your lunch breaks) to check in with co-workers who may be trying to eat better and get or stay fit. You can also give co-workers permission to take away your quarters when they see you heading to the vending machine!

10. Diary. Writing down your goals, struggles, setbacks and successes can be a great way to support yourself even when no one else will. You can go the pen-and-paper route or take it online in a blog format, or even do a video blog. Sometimes just writing about your struggles and reminding yourself why you're working toward your goals is all you need to get going again.

11. Pay yourself. Don't do all of that hard work for free! Set up a reward system that works for you. Throw a dollar in a jar each time you work out or meet a healthy eating goal and watch both your health benefits and your money grow! Use that money for a healthy treat after a few months—a massage, a new workout outfit or a gym membership are all awesome splurges.

12. Reward yourself for meeting weekly goals. If you don't have spare money to throw into your workout stash as mentioned above, reward yourself in other ways for meeting weekly goals. If you meet your goal of losing a pound or working out five times, pamper yourself . Whether it's a long bath or a day off from exercise with no guilt, have a reward in mind for meeting your weekly goal and stick with it.

13.  Try to motivate someone else - it can be really crucial moment for you. Inspiring someone to make the efforts that you make can be a powerful motivation to move on. Look for followers and constantly talk about the problems and successes that accompany the fight against weight. Cook your meals together, share recipes and avoid visiting places which offers your favorite dishes.

Sharing your goals with others is a sure way to get support. But even if you're in a new city or don't have that support system in place, encouragement from yourself and others is possible!

Select your or think of your own way to self-motivation.

Beef with Vegetables

3 Servings

Ingredients:

1/2 kg lean beef, thinly sliced
1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 medium carrots, thinly sliced on the bias

1 pepper, thinly sliced

3 large mushrooms, thinly sliced

50 gr Butternut squash, peeled, thinly sliced

2 gloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and ground black pepper

1 bay leave

275 ml warm water

Method

Prep the beef and vegetables. Season the beef all over with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

2. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large, nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the beef (working in two batches if you need to). Leave it alone to brown well, a minute or so. Stir the beef and let it brown another minute. Remove it to a plate. Wipe the pan out with a damp paper towel.
3. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the vegetables and stir. Leave them alone to brown well, 2-4 minutes.

Cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables become soft - 2-4 more minutes.
4. Add the beef back to the pan, add chopped tomato, put warm water and cook about 1 hour. 

Roasted Pear and Arugula Salad

INGREDIENTS

2 firm, not-quite-ripe pears
2 Tbsp butter
4-5 oz baby arugula
1/2 red onion, minced
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp honey
Salt
Pepper
1 cup pecan halves, toasted
Roquefort cheese

PREPARATION

Heat oven to 180ºC-degrees. Quarter pears, slicing length-wise around the core (you can leave the skin on if you prefer). Discard cores. Melt 1 Tbsp butter and pour into a large bowl with the 1 tbsp honey. Toss pears in the syrup-butter mixture until well coated. Place pears on a baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes (pears should be lightly caramelized and be soft, yet not mushy).

Sauté red onion in 1 tbsp olive oil about 2-3 minutes until soft. Set aside. In a skillet, toast pecan halves in 1 Tbsp butter, tossing frequently. When pecans get a toasty look, remove from heat and sprinkle with salt. (Alternatively, you buy pre-roasted, salted pecans, but they won't be as good).

In a small bowl, make the vinaigrette. Whisk the remaining 3 Tbsp olive oil, apple cider vinegar and honey. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Toss red onion with arugula in a large salad bowl. Now drizzle vinaigrette over arugula and toss again. Plate arugula then add some diced roasted pear, and top with the toasted pecans. Serve with a nice chunk of Roquefort.

Dandelions Leaves Salad

Ingredients:

1 large boiled potato or 2 smaller

1 egg, cooked, piled and quartered

2 hands green dandelion leaves

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp vinegar

Sea salt

2tbsp pumpkin seeds

Method

Peel and slice potatoes and use while still warm. Mix it with Dandelion leaves, olive oil, vinegar, sea salt. Spread egg and pumpkin seeds over the salad and serve.

Dandelions are Super Foods

It’s almost Spring!

Every part of the dandelion is edible – leaves, roots, and flowers. And they are nutritional power-houses. They’re rich in beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins, and protein.

Over the years, dandelions have been used as cures for countless conditions including:

kidney stones

acne

high blood pressure

obesity

diarrhea

high cholesterol

anemia

cancer

diabetes

stomach pain

hepatitis

There is probably no existing condition that would not benefit from regularly consuming dandelions.

So why not harvest the dandelions in your yard this spring? And I’m sure your neighbors wouldn’t mind if you uprooted some of theirs too. (But you probably want to avoid harvesting near streets or from lawns where herbicides or fertilizers are used.)

The leaves

Dandelion leaves have more beta-carotene than carrots and more iron and calcium than spinach. The best time to harvest them is early spring, before the flowers appear, because that’s when they’re the least bitter.

How can you eat dandelion leaves?

Toss them in salads

Steam them

Saute them with garlic, onions, and olive oil

Infuse them with boiling water to make a tea

Dry them to use for tea

The flowers

Dandelion flowers are a rich source of the nutrient lecithin. The best time to harvest them is mid-spring, when they’re usually the most abundant. If you cut off the green base, the flowers aren’t bitter.

How can you eat dandelion flowers?

Toss them in salad

Steam them with other vegetables

The roots

Dandelion roots are full of vitamins and minerals. They are also in rich in a substance called inulin, which may help diabetics to regulate blood sugar. Dandelion roots are often used to treat liver disorders. They’re also a safe natural diuretic, because they’re rich in potassium. The best time to harvest dandelion roots is early spring and late fall.

How can you eat dandelion roots?

Boil them for 20 minutes to make a tea

Steam them with other vegetables

One of My Friends Favorite Dandelions Leaves Salads

Ingredients: 

1 large boiled potato or 2 smaller

1 egg, cooked, piled and quartered

2 hands green dandelion leaves

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp vinegar

Sea salt

2tbsp pumpkin seeds

Method

Peel and slice potatoes and use while still warm. Mix it with Dandelion leaves, olive oil, vinegar, sea salt. Spread egg and pumpkin seeds over the salad and serve.

Good Luck!

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients:

2 cups cauliflower, grated (about 1/2 a large head)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cup part skim mozzarella, shredded and divided

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated (you can swap Parmesan cheese with cheddar)

1/4 cup tomato sauce, homemade or store bought

1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half

2 cloves garlic, sliced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed

1/4 cup basil leaves, for garnish

2 pcs spring onion

Ham if you like

Method

  

Grate the cauliflower using a box grater until you have 2 cups of cauliflower crumbles. Place in a large bowl and microwave for 7-8 minutes, or until soften. Remove and let cool. Mix in the egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese (or Cheddar) and salt and pepper. 

Once combined, pat into a 10-inch round on the prepared pizza pan. Heat oven to 200°C.

Spray lightly with non-stick spray and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden.

Top the pizza with the sauce, remaining mozzarella, cherry tomatoes (if you like),ham ( if you like), garlic, and red pepper flakes. Bake in the oven until melted and bubbly, another 10 minutes. Top with basil before serving.

Good luck!

Raw Chocolate Plum and Date Truffles

Ingredients:

9 pcs dry dates

9 pcs dty plums

30 gr raw seeds

3 tbsp butter

1 tbsp cocoa

Method

Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until become a sticky mixture.

Roll sweet balls to about the size you like.

Roll truffles in cocoa and put them into fridge for 2 hours

Detox for weight loss

Are you one of those people who have tried everything to lose weight but it just won’t budge?

Sometimes your body holds on to that fat for a reason – your organs may need some TLC before it is able to rid the body of excess fat.

The state of your digestive system may be preventing you from absorbing the required nutrients for optimal health and weight loss. For these reasons and many more, a thorough detoxification program is recommended for anyone who struggles to lose weight, even when they eat a balanced and wholesome diet.

The digestive tract

Our digestive tract is constantly exposed to an enormous amount of toxins and pathogens. The digestive tract is the first point of contact when we ingest something and acts as a barrier to undesirables – so a healthy gut is so important when it comes to detoxification. Our bodies produce enzymes that carry out their own detoxification routines in the digestive system. Through bad diet and lifestyle choices, the amount of these enzymes are decreased and the lining of our gut wall no longer serves as a strong barrier, leaving our liver and immune system to pick up the slack and, eventually, disease prevails.

Important: When we have an unhealthy digestive tract, we don’t absorb nutrients as well as we need to, which can lower our metabolism and will in turn cause weight gain.

The liver

When your liver isn’t functioning correctly, the elimination of fats, toxins and heavy metals is compromised.  

The liver requires many nutrients to carry out detoxification effectively. These nutrients include protein, B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and it is for this reason that a healthy, wholesome and clean diet is needed during a detox. Fasting for long periods of time is not advisable, as the body requires food for fuel as well as these vital nutrients in order to detoxify the body.

Important: If your liver cannot metabolize fats properly, weight gain will usually occur, especially around the abdominal region.

The kidneys

Support kidney health is a vital part of any detoxification program. The kidneys are key organs responsible for blood filtration and the elimination of drugs and their metabolites as well as maintaining healthy pH levels within the blood and urine.

A common diet today contains very acidic foods, as we are surrounded by sugary fast food, alcohol and bad lifestyle choices. When our pH is thrown out of balance, it can cause cellular dysfunction and impair our ability to detoxify.

As well as helping us maintain our pH levels, the kidneys are an elimination organ and help us excrete chemicals and other toxic substances through urination.

Drink plenty of water throughout your detox to aid the kidneys in doing their job effectively.

Important: If your kidneys are not functioning properly, a build-up of fluid can occur and prevent weight loss, and even cause weight gain.

Stress & fatigue

It is becoming more apparent to us that stress and fatigue can cause weight gain. When our bodies experience stress, it reacts by releasing hormones such as cortisol. This is called the ‘fight or flight’ response. It is our body’s way of preparing us for danger. Cave men didn’t have full-time jobs, meetings, deadlines or financial worries. Instead, they had predators who wanted to devour them. This rise in hormones allowed them to either fight off their predator or run for their lives. After the danger had been averted, hormone levels would normalize. 

Today, our stress is a different type of stress, but our hormonal reactions remain the same.

When this hormonal response is triggered, cortisol and other hormones break down fat into energy you need for a getaway or to fight off a predator. After the threat is dealt with, the fat is stored once more, usually in your abdominal region and appetite is increased to replace the energy lost during the stress.

Important: The appetite that follows usually comes in the form of cravings for sugary or fatty foods.

Which foods can help us to Detox our liver

Foods for your liver are essential to keeping your body's powerhouse—your liver—functioning optimally. A healthy liver plays a key role in relieving digestive issues, such as a sluggish metabolism, gas, bloating, and constipation. It regulates blood sugar levels, which—when out of balance—can cause sugar cravings, fatigue, and fuzzy thinking.

A toxic liver can lead to inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and autoimmune diseases. Without a healthy liver, you may suffer from hormonal imbalances that can cause headaches, mood swings, and depression. It's time to nurture this amazing organ!

Crucifer foods include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.

Dark Leafy Greens - Kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are powerful brassica vegetables.

Sprouted Seeds, Nuts, Beans, and Grains - The energy contained in a seed, grain, nut, or legume.

Sulfur-Rich Foods - Garlic—One of the oldest land-based medicinal foods on the planet, garlic contains an active sulfur-based compound called allicin, a critical supporter of liver detoxification. Onions, shallots, and leeks too.

Eggs.

Fruits - Berries—Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries are among nature's superfoods because they contain phytochemicals—antioxidant-rich plant. Apples.

Prebiotic-Rich Foods- Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that feed your beneficial gut flora, known as probiotics. Prebiotics are found in asparagus, leeks, cruciferous vegetables, and several root vegetables—burdock, chicory, dandelion, beets, and Jerusalem artichoke (pictured above).

Healthy Fats - seeds, avocado, coconut oil, cold-pressed olive oil.

Herbs – ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon.

Animal proteins - Meat—Eat only clean, grass-fed land animals

Fish

Vegetable proteins - beans, grains, nuts, and certain green vegetables, which have less cholesterol and fat than meat .

AND 

Water

After oxygen, your body needs water more than any other substance, including food, just to survive. Because water flushes toxins and waste products from your body, you feel more energized and alert when your body is fully hydrated (which most of us usually aren't!). Usually eight to 10 8-ounce glasses will do the trick. Just don't overdo it—too much water can be harmful, too.

One Day Detox

I recommend every week One Day Detox

How can you do a one day Detoxification?

You choose one day of the week, where you rely only on healthy and light food. It is actually sort of semi-fasting with juices. It does not mean you have to starve. The goal is, to satisfy and nourish your stomach with a healthy and fresh diet, giving it a rest from the not so healthy menu.

You then repeat the detox day every week over a few months. It does not really matter which day (working or not working), as long as you can stick to the detox diet.

I found this the most convenient day Monday. One reason for that is that the local food store stocks up always on Monday with fresh food. That means you get fresh vegetables. They do fill up some other days too, but that can vary.

Your one day detox diet should consist of only:

Fresh fruits and fruit juices.

Fresh raw vegetables and vegetable juices.

Herbal and fruit teas.

Low fat yogurt.

Water and Green Tea.

What kind of food do you have to avoid? No bread, no meat, no fat, no sweets, no coffee and no alcohol.

Cucumber, basil and lime juice - Serves one.

 

Ingredients:

1 handful of basil leaves;

1 cucumber, cut in half lengthwise;

½ lime, zest and pith removed;

1 apple, cut into wedges;

Method

Starting with the basil, juice everything into a glass. Alternatively, you can chop all the ingredients and pop them into a powerful blender with 120ml of water, then pass the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass. Give it a stir and drink immediately.

Good luck!

Roasted Butternut Squash and Crispy Kale Salad with Dressing

INGREDIENTS

2 large or 3 medium pcs butternut squash

1 generous bunch curly kale (about 1 pound), stemmed, leaves washed and dried thoroughly (see above)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

 Salt to taste

¼ cup broken pecans, lightly toasted

FOR THE DRESSING

1 small garlic clove, pureed

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

½ cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

 Freshly ground pepper

Method

To roast the butternut squash, heat the oven to 200 ºC. Rinse the squash and pierce in several places with the tip of a paring knife. Line a sheet pan with foil and place the butternut squash on the foil. Bake 20 to 30 minutes , depending on the size of the butternut squash. They are done when they are soft and beginning to ooze. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Meanwhile make the dressing (or you can make it a day ahead). In a mini-processor or in a mortar and pestle blend together the garlic, thyme, buttermilk, and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

For best results, leave it to sit for at least an hour.

To make the crispy kale, heat the oven to 160ºC. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Make sure that your kale leaves are dry and tear them into medium-size pieces and toss with the olive oil. Gently knead the leaves between your thumbs and fingers to make sure they are coated with oil. Place in an even layer on the baking sheets. Do this in batches if necessary. Place in the oven and roast for 16 to 22 minutes, until the leaves are crisp but not browned. If some of the leaves crisp before others, remove them to a bowl or sheet pan and return the remaining kale to the oven. Watch closely as once the kale browns it will taste bitter. Season to taste with kosher salt or fine sea salt. Allow to cool.

Sliced the butternut squash on smaller pieces and place them in a salad bowl. Add the pecans and half the crispy kale.

Line the edge of a platter with the remaining crispy kale. Toss to mixture with the dressing, place in the middle of the platter and serve at once.

Good luck!