Kale Pasta Salad (Spiced Olive Oil, Almonds, Raisins)

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A not-boring kale pasta salad with jammy raisins, crunchy fried almonds, and a coriander-spiced oil. Sweet, salty, sharp, and a little unexpected!

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 tsp honey
1/2 cup raisins
1 bunch kale, stems discarded and leaves thinly sliced
Kosher salt
8 oz short pasta shape (casarecce, gemelli, mezzi rigatoni)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1 lemon, zest peeled into wide strips
1/2 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
3/4 tsp whole coriander seeds, crushed with the flat side of a knife or in a mortar and pestle
1/2 tsp red chile flakes
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
3 oz feta crumbled

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In a glass measuring cup, combine vinegar and honey until mixed. Add raisins and microwave for 45 seconds, or until steaming. Set aside to plump.
Place kale in a large bowl and massage with a pinch of salt until the leaves are dark green and soft. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain in a strainer, rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking, then toss to shake off excess water. Transfer pasta to the bowl with kale.
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat. Add garlic and lemon peels and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic starts to turn golden brown. Add almonds and cook 2 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in coriander, red chile flakes, and black pepper. Let spices bloom for about 2 minutes.
Strain hot oil through a fine mesh sieve, into the bowl with the pasta and kale. Spread out almond mixture on a paper towel-lined plate, sprinkle with salt, and let them crisp up as they cool. Discard garlic and lemon peels.
Use a fork to scoop out the plumped raisins (save vinegar mixture) and toss into the salad. Add feta, 1 tablespoon reserved vinegar mixture, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and fried almonds. Toss gently to combine, taste and add more salt, pepper, or vinegar brine, if needed. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold.

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Find it online: https://www.withspice.com/blog/kale-pasta-salad/