Winter Slaw with Buckwheat, Hazelnuts + Tamari Almond Butter Dressing

Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.

I guess it’s not technically winter yet but it doesn’t quite feel like fall anymore either. We have yet to have any real snow here in the city and I might be one of the very few people who are actually unhappy about it. Things just look a little grey and I think a good dusting of snow is just what we need. I bought a few twinkle lights and have slowly been gathering pine branches off the ground from the christmas trees on sale below the apartment. Every time I walk by I stop just for the smell. I was thinking of making a wreath or something to hang on the door, but for now they are just popped up in a vase and my money’s betting that that is exactly where they will stay until the new year. My charlie brown decorating skills have become somewhat of a tradition I guess, so why change.

My girlfriend came over with her wee one the other night. We sat in front of my little fire place and drank tea and chatted babies and marriage and life. We laughed, I made dinner and we were probably both in bed by 9pm. Last weekend I visited my sister, and while we managed to squeeze in a lot of things in just a few short days, we mostly spent our time talking about food. She took me to a few of her favorite places in the city, we toured the christmas market, bought the best-ever kimchi and I snuck in a cookie for the road home at my must-stop whenever I visit. After a few long days at work this weekend I swung by Shelley’s place before heading home. I had something for her and she had picked up a few goodies for me too. We chatted at her kitchen table, mostly about food and travel plans and cookie swap ideas. The novelty of just being able to stop by or go visit family has definitely not worn off on me yet. Having been so far away for so long, these simple little visits mean the world to me. I don’t really mind what we do, I just want to sit in good company and pretend like time has stood still. Because the real things haven’t changed, it is still best to laugh together, to learn from and to be inspired by each other. So I strung up a few twinkle lights in case any one wants to stop by for a cup of tea. I’m just happy to put the kettle on.

Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter slaw with buckwheat, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds and a tamari almond butter dressing. Vegan and gluten free.Winter Nut + Seed Slaw with Almond Butter Tamari Dressing ⎮ happy hearted ktichen


WINTER NUT + SEED SLAW WITH TAMARI ALMOND BUTTER DRESSING

I’ve been de-seeding pomegranate like it’s my job lately. As soon as it starts to feel grey and winter-like I always gravitate towards the more exotic fruits at the grocery store. Brussel sprouts may not be everyone favorite, but this dish is a great way to sneak them into your weekly meals. A good, hearty salad recipe is a great thing to have on hand during the holidays, something to bring to a potluck and share with friends. This one can definitely be made ahead of time, keep the dressing on the side before serving. Dressed leftovers will keep in the fridge for at least a day or two before wilting. I love the simplicity of this salad, the colors and the textures. I added buckwheat here because I like to bring salads to work and need a little something to keep me going, but quinoa or lentils will work as well.

Vegan + Gluten Free. Serves 2-3 as a main. More as a side. Double ingredients to feed a large crowd.

Ingredients

3/4 cup raw buckwheat groats
4 cups curly green kale, thinly chopped (stems removed)
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced brussel sprouts (rough ends removed)
1/4 raw pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted or raw, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, plus extra for topping
1/4 cup almond butter
1 1/2 tablespoons gluten free organic tamari
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Rinse buckwheat groats under cold water for 30 seconds. Bring a large pot of water (at least 3 cups) to a bowl, add a pinch of salt and then add the buckwheat. Let boil uncovered for 7 minutes, then remove from heat, cover and let sit for 2 minutes, no more. Strain and rinse the buckwheat then set aside.

Place thinly sliced kale and brussel sprouts in a large salad bowl. Sprinkle with touch of salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Using your hands, massage the oil and salt into the greens until well absorbed and the greens turn a vibrant shade of green. Add buckwheat, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts and pomegranate seeds to the bowl.

To make the dressing, mix together almond butter, tamari, maple syrup, vinegar and oil in a small bowl or blender. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add an extra splash of tamari for added salt, a touch more vinegar to cut richness or a drop or two of maple syrup to round out the sweetness. Add a splash of water to thin, if needed, to get desired consistency. I added about 2 tablespoons.

Pour half the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve with extra dressing on the side and top plates of with a few extra pomegranate seeds for color.


Let me in on your kitchen creations – tag your photos #happyheartedkitchen and share the love!

20 Comments

  • Reply
    Shelley Ludman
    December 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    Awww Jodes — what a beautiful salad and such beautiful words. I sure love our spontaneous (and frequent) hangs, and this week’s particularly fabulous exchange of goodies. Rocked my new sweats yesterday and have never felt comfier ;) a demain xx

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 8, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Love you Shelley. Always say yes to sweats ;) x

  • Reply
    Sus Davy
    December 7, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    Your weekend sounds just perfect, I’m all about the 9pm bedtimes!
    Love, love, love this salad, I made a similar one a few weeks back which is gracing the blog tomorrow! Happy December missy xx

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 8, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you, Sus! Can’t wait to see what you create with these winter gems :) Happy December to you too, big love x

  • Reply
    Kelly Hewitt
    December 7, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Just love your blogs Jodi! This one hits home for me.

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 8, 2015 at 1:30 pm

      Kelly! THANK YOU! That means so much to me, really. Hope you’re doing well and happy December x

  • Reply
    Sophie | The Green Life
    December 8, 2015 at 5:42 am

    Such a lovely post Jodi. This winter salad has so many of the things I love. It sounds so fresh and vibrant! Beautiful. <3

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 10, 2015 at 12:58 pm

      Thank you, Sophie! x

  • Reply
    Lemon and Coconut
    December 9, 2015 at 5:36 pm

    YUM that looks amazing! Beautiful photos :)

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 10, 2015 at 12:58 pm

      Oh thats so sweet, thank you! x

  • Reply
    Dagný Zoega
    December 9, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Wow. That spoon is just like the spoons in the cutlery set my father brought me back from the states in 1980 :) An the salat is also very good ;)

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 10, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Oh really? I found it at a Salvation Army here in Montreal! I love finding little gems like it there! Thank you for your comment x

  • Reply
    danielle is rooting the sun
    December 10, 2015 at 2:52 am

    Jodi I’m so very drunken on this late period of autumn – there is something quite mystical before the technical winter begins. Gorgeous recipe – it seemingly envelopes all that I feel of this point in time. I love the combination of kale and brussels sprouts – two steadfast entities in my garden still. Happy week! xo

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 10, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Oh I’m so envious of your garden, Danielle! Enjoy those courageous greens :) Happy almost weekend to you x

  • Reply
    odessa
    December 11, 2015 at 4:24 am

    Pinned! This salad just screams Christmas with the red, white, and green. Looks delicious, thanks for sharing :)

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 11, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      Oh thank you, Odessa! Love these colors too xx

  • Reply
    Amanda Paa
    December 12, 2015 at 1:47 am

    i am longing for winter too! in minnesota we are having crazy warm weather. hopefully the snow will fly for christmas. this salad is so beautiful, and brings out the best in a slaw. could pomegranate seeds be any prettier? xo

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 13, 2015 at 3:41 pm

      Thanks Amanda! Fingers crossed for a white christmas! Hope you having a great weekend x

  • Reply
    genevieve @ gratitude and gree
    December 14, 2015 at 8:42 am

    It is so warm this year! No snow in Toronto yet either. I went to the Christmas market and it was chilly on the evening I went but winter just isn’t the same without the first sprinklings of snow! I love how vibrant this slaw is- I’ve been eating winter food without actual winter weather and my diet really needs something like this slaw to brighten it up! xo

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      December 15, 2015 at 2:31 am

      Thanks Gen! I know what you mean, a christmas market just doesn’t have the same twinkle without a little snow. Fingers crossed for some this week! x

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