Mango & Kale Salad with a Mango Lassi

I just got back from almost two weeks in Los Angeles, and I have a million ideas for new recipes.  But since I'm also in the process of moving to a new house, an easy (but still delicious) dinner never hurt anyone.  This one features some orangey ripe mangoes, in both food and drink.  I sliced and shredded about twelve kale leaves, massaged them (yes, I massaged them), added a bittersweet dressing, and tossed in some chopped mangoes.  And what mango dish would be complete without a crisp fruit drink to wash it down?  Served in a Miller High Life (c'mon, it's the champagne of beers!) flute is a cardamom mango lassi.

And just in case you weren't sure, a lassi is a sweetened yogurt drink, typically made with yogurt, water, sugar, and spices.  I've made some changes from the more traditional recipes, and, as if you didn't already know, I sweeten mine with honey.

Since this is a fruit-inspired dinner, and since I've been searching for a vinyl copy of his 1969 album Five Leaves Left to no avail, I've got Nick Drake's "Fruit Tree" on my mind. 

Salad and Dressing:

--12 leaves washed and julienned kale

--2 ripe mangoes, chopped

--1-2 tsp. salt

--1-2 tsp. pepper

--1 tsp. honey

--1 tsp. agave syrup

--2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

--juice from 1/2 lemon

--1/4 tsp. orange blossom water

In a large bowl, massage julienned kale for approximately 15 minutes, or as long as you can stand it.  (Literally, massage it with your hands--it makes it much softer and sweeter for the salad.)  Mix in mangoes and set aside.  In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, honey, agave syrup, vinegar, lemon juice, and orange blossom water.  Whisk to combine and pour over salad.  Serve with a few slices of a crispy baguette.

Mango Lassi:

--1 ripe mango

--1/2 c. mango juice, + extra if you want to thin out your lassi

--1 c. plain Greek yogurt (you don't need to use Greek yogurt, but I like the thickness and sharp flavor it provides)

--1 c. unsweetened almond milk (you can, of course, use whatever you like here)

--1/4 c. honey (you want it sweet, don't you?)

--1 tsp. cardamom

--1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse under smooth, for approx. 2-3 minutes.  (If you want a thinner drink, add more mango juice and pulse to blend.)  Serve fresh!