Kale, Apple & Pancetta Salad

This Kale, Apple & Pancetta Salad is all the rage these days.

It’s what all the cool kids are talking about (and eating). It’s the dope ISH. The bomb-diggety. The flavor(s) of the week – and every week hereafter for the rest of time…

Once you give it a try, you’ll know what I’m saying.

But seriously, can you deny a salad with tart-sweet apples, crunchy kale and radicchio and crispy pancetta on top? I didn’t think so. Good thing it won’t take long for you to be one of the cool kids, because this tasty salad takes T-minus 15 minutes to make. WHAT.

Firstly, cook some diced pancetta in a skillet with a generous glug of olive oil. This serves two purposes: One, to make the crispy pancetta that tops this magical salad, and two, to make the dressing that tops this magical salad. Win-win-WIN (there’s an extra win for my mouth eating it).

Secondly, remove the stems from a bunch of kale and shred the leaves in a food processor (or tear them by hand, whatevs). Kale is like my tummy’s best friend – not only is it chockfull of health goodness, it’s downright delicious.

Shred a small head of radicchio in the processor (or with a knife) as well. Isn’t that sooooo purdy?

Remember those pancetta drippings we saved? Yep, time to use them… along with some white wine vinegar and maple syrup. I wish I could pour this dressing into everything – my oatmeal, my soups, my coffee… It’s just so tasty.

Toss everything together in a large bowl – including the dressing, some sliced apples and chopped pecans – until everyone’s all friendly-like.

Top the salad with those crispy pancetta bits you’ve saved and voila! Bellissimo! Right on! You’ve just made an awesomazetasticalicious cool-kid kale salad (look it up. It’s totally a word).

Kales in Comparison

• Baked Chipotle Kale Chips Recipe
• Sweet Potato, Kale and Feta Muffins Recipe
• Kale-Wrapped Steamed Pork (LauLau Inspired)

Stephanie (aka Girl Versus Dough) still thinks you’re a cool kid even if you don’t make this salad. But you should. Check out Stephanie’s Tablespoon member profile and keep checking back for her own personal recipes on Tablespoon!