Candied Spiced Almond Salad

Ingredients:
3 cups sliced almonds
4 TBSP sugar
3 TBSP butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp vanilla
sea salt

Place a large sheet of foil on a work surface and coat in cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.

Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add sugar. Tip and swirl pan until sugar is melted into a pale golden syrup.

Lower heat and add butter, cinnamon, cumin, paprika and vanilla. Stir until well combined and butter is incorporated into the sugar syrup.

Add the nuts and stir gently to coat. Cover and continue to cook on low, stirring every minute or so until almonds are golden brown (watch carefully as they can burn quick). Turn out onto prepared foil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Serve over a salad of mixed greens, dried cranberries and avocado. Top with sweet white balsamic vinaigrette.

Sweet White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
3-4 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 TBSP poppy seeds
1 1/2 TBSP sesame seeds
1/2 tsp paprika
2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine in a glass gar or bowl and shake or whisk to combine and dissolve sugar.

Sausage and Kale Soup

My new favorite soup.

Ingredients:
3/4 - 1 lb hot Italian sausage (I used chicken) - casings removed if using links
1/2 large onion - diced
3 carrots - peeled and diced
2-3 cloves garlic - sliced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 head kale - washed, hard stems removed and finely chopped
1 can cannellini white beans - drained and rinsed
4 cups water
2 cups chicken stock (i used better than chicken bullion - about 4-5 TBSP)
1 cup wild rice

Brown sausage and remove to a crock pot, reserving drippings. Lightly saute garlic and onion and add to slow cooker with carrots, red pepper flakes, water, stock and rice.

Cook on low 4-6 hours - I would not recommend longer than that or the rice will get mushy. 10 minutes before serving add beans and kale and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve with croutons and parmesan cheese!