Warm Kale Salad with Maple Walnut Dressing Recipe

This recipe is a twist on the classic warm spinach salad but made with kale and apples that's taken to the next level with a smoky, sweet dressing made with maple syrup, walnuts, and pancetta.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Dinner, Lunch, Main, Salad, Sauces

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Servings Servings

Calories 263 kcal

Equipment

Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Liquid Measuring Cups
Vitamix Blender

Ingredients

For The Pancetta:

1 (4 ounce) piece pancetta small dice (optional)

For The Maple Walnut Dressing:

3/4 cup walnut halves finely chopped and divided
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons Pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons pancetta drippings or olive oil divided
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

For The Kale Salad:

10 ounces kale (preferably lacinato variety) trimmed, stems discarded, and leaves finely shredded (about 6 cups)
4 heads endive thinly sliced and ends trimmed and discarded
2 medium Pink Lady or other sweet apples quartered, cored, and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup currants

Instructions

Crisp The Pancetta: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the pancetta. Cook stirring frequently, until the pancetta is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove pancetta to a paper-towel lined plate and set aside to drain. Remove all but 1 1/2 tablespoons drippings from the pan and reserve for another use (like the dressing).
Make The Maple Walnut Dressing: Combine 1/2 cup of the walnuts, the vinegar, maple syrup, pancetta drippings or 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the Dijon mustard in a mini food processor or blender with 2 tablespoons of water, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Blend until smooth and add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons water to thin out the dressing as desired. Dip some kale into the dressing then taste and adjust flavoring, adding more salt, pepper, or syrup as desired.
(Dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Store refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.)
For The Salad: Add the lemon juice to the drippings in the pan, scrape the bottom of the pan to collect any browned bits, then pour into a large bowl (if not using the pancetta, just add the lemon juice to the apples and proceed).
Add the apples, kale, endive and toss to coat. Mound the salad on plates, garnish with the currants, remaining 1/4 cup walnuts, and pancetta, drizzle with dressing, and serve.

PERSONAL NOTES

Click here to add your own private notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0.1mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 1296mgFiber: 14gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 11262IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 302mgIron: 4mg

Keyword bacon salad, Protein rich salad