There are summer salads–crisp, refreshing, and perfect for dining outside on a hot day–and then there are winter salads: nutty and richly flavored, with copious amounts of cheese or cured meats, perfect for pairing with a humble roast chicken or slow cooked stew. This kale salad falls under the later category, with crispy nuggets of fried pancetta, toasted pecans, brioche croutons, and an obscene amount of freshly grated Parmesan.
Jump to RecipeThe key to tender kale salad: thin cuts and a quick massage
I’m not going to lie, the term “massaged kale” gives me a bit of a headache, conjuring memories of 2012 bad food trends. I was in college eating in a co-op at the time, and almost every meal included some form of massaged kale. I think we overdid the kale trend a bit, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth revisiting! In fact, the science is all there. Massaging your kale really does help break down the fiber in the leaves, making it easier to chew and digest.
For this salad, we utilize a few key techniques to ensure you aren’t gnawing of tough and stringy kale leaves.
1. Remove the stems
Kale stems are tough and best reserved for sautéing. Simply use a knife to separate the leaves from the stems. Compost your stems, or save them for your next stir fry.
2. Thinly slice the kale
I like to chiffonade (aka cut into thin strips) my kale for salads. These thin slices break down easier and and more palatable to chew. Simply roll a few leaves into a small parcel, then use a knife to thinly slice the leaves into strips.
3. Massage with salt
Finally, add a pinch of coarsely ground sea salt and use your hands to vigorously massage the kale to break down the fiber. This only take a few minutes, and you will notice that the kale will become much darker and feel softer to the touch. It will also shrink a bit as well. Once you do this step you are ready to dress and eat!
Kale Salad with Pancetta, Brioche, and Pecans
Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy4
side servings30
minutesThere are summer salads–crisp, refreshing, and perfect for dining outside on a hot day–and then there are winter salads: nutty and richly flavored, with copious amounts of cheese or cured meats, perfect for pairing with a humble roast chicken or slow cooked stew. This kale salad falls under the later category, with crispy nuggets of fried pancetta, toasted pecans, brioche croutons, and an obscene amount of freshly grated Parmesan.
Ingredients
- For the croutons
3 oz brioche bread
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
- For the salad
½ cup pecan pieces
5 oz pancetta, diced
1 bunch lacinato (dinosaur) kale
2 radishes, washed and thinly sliced
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- For the salad dressing
2 oil packed anchovy filets
1 small shallot, finely minced
5 tbsp pancetta fat (sub olive oil)
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Black pepper
Directions
- First, make the croutons
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- Cut the bread into smaller cubes and place in a bowl. Coat generously with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the cubes out on a baking sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes, until very brown and toasty. Brioche will toast very quickly, if you sub a different kind of bread expect this to take longer.
- While the croutons cook, slice and massage the kale
- Using a knife, remove the stems from each kale leaf and discard, or save for your next stir fry.
- Working in batches, roll the leaves into a tight parcel, then use your knife to thinly slice the kale into strips. Repeat until all the leaves are sliced.
- Place the kale in a large salad bowl and add in a sprinkle of course sea salt. Use your hands to massage the kale until the color is dark green and the leaves feel more tender to the touch. The kale will also shrink considerably.
- Next, toast the pecans and cook the pancetta
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and let cook, stirring every 10 seconds or so, until they smell intensely nutty and are lightly browned all over, about 3 minutes. Careful not to burn.
- Remove the pecans from the skillet and add to the kale bowl.
- Clean out the pan if needed, then add your pancetta with the heat off. Turn the heat onto medium and cook the pancetta until the fat is rendered and the pieces are brown and crispy. Stir occasionally and adjust the heat if things are moving too quickly. Remove the pancetta from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate. Do not discard the rendered fat!
- Next, make the vinaigrette
- Pound the anchovies to a paste (you can use a mortar and pestle or the bottom of a jar) and place in a small bowl with the minced shallots.
- Pour in 5 tbsp of the reserved pancetta fat along with 2 tbsp of sherry vinegar (if you don’t have 5 tbsp fat reserved, sub in olive oil).
- Add the mustard and lots of freshly grated black pepper and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The anchovies and the pancetta fat have a decent amount of salt in them, so you may not need to add any more.
- Finally, toss and serve
- Add the croutons and radishes to the kale bowl. Add enough vinaigrette to coat the leaves and toss to combine. Taste a few leaves to make sure they are dressed sufficiently. Depending on the size of your kale bunch, you may decide to add in a little extra olive oil or vinegar.
- Top with lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
More sides…
Blistered Romanos with Roasted Tomato Gochujang Sauce
Romano beans are a true summer treat! They stay sweet and crisp even after braised, and these romano beans get a serious flavor boost from a roasted tomato, garlic, and gochujang sauce. It’s sweet, a little spicy, and crunchy (thanks to the roasted almonds). Best of all, it’s easily made vegan (though I would highly…
Read More Keep reading
Burrata, fava, and fennel salad with mint pistachio pesto
Simple spring eating at it’s best: tender fava beans and crunchy shaved fennel get all dressed up with some torn burrata and a luscious pistachio mint pesto. Fava beans are not in season for much longer, so its worth it to go through the two-step peeling process. Enjoy them while they last! Recipe Notes Favas…
Read More Keep reading
Black Garlic Salsa Verde
Say hello to your new favorite summer sauce. Here, Italian salsa verde, a piquant mixture of parsley, capers, anchovies, lemon, and EVOO, gets a savory boost from the addition of fermented black garlic. It goes well on just about anything, but is particularly delicious smothered on grilled or roasted vegetables, fish, and steak, or slathered…
Read More Keep reading