Easing back into routine after vacation is HARD.
Especially when it comes to eating “healthier”. I mean, calories don’t count when you’re on holiday, right? So when it comes time to switch back to having busy weeks, early wake up times, and making new exciting meals after all of that makes life difficult; especially if you want to make them resemble a healthy dish.
All this talk about trying to make healthy foods is reminding me. I think we should be given a medal for being here for over a week already and NOT ordering pizza. An accomplishment in of itself if I say so myself.
But what’s more, I managed to make more meals this week than baked goods! Even though most of them were some of my standbys, I feel like I am finally making my goal of not-eating-like-a-college-student become a reality.
But anyways, let’s talk about this salad! Can we call this a super food salad? I mean it has kale, apple cider vinegar… This is like the healthiest thing I have had on my plate all week!
And when you didn’t think it could get any better, you add in some sizzling hot, crispy bacon to the mix. But since I hate waste (basically the reason I never wanted to work in a restaurant), the bacon drippings are reserved and mixed in with the vinaigrette. I absolutely love mixing hot ingredients into my kale salads. This makes the kale all wilty, and leaves it having a less bitter flavor than the raw stuff on its own.
Kale and Bacon Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp brown sugar, packed
- 1 bunch kale, washed and cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- On a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Reserve the bacon drippings in a small bowl. Place the cooked bacon on a large plate lined with a paper towel.
- Scoop 3 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat back into the skillet. Mix in the apple cider vinegar, mustard and brown sugar.
- In a large bowl, toss together the kale and pumpkin seeds. Crumble the bacon on top. Pour the warm vinaigrette on top. Toss and serve immediately.
I buy that apple cider vinegar too 🙂 We've not been on vacation but everyone we know has been putting end-of-summer gatherings together and we've been eating so well that we need a few nights of salads like this. The dressing sounds great and yes, bacon please.
Love this salad ! Look delicious 🙂
In a family whom do not fond in eating vegetable, I miss the green salad like this.
Now that's a kale salad I'd love to eat! Great alternative to spinach.
I love kale salads, I usually buy some for lunch at work, and adding bacon is always a winner!
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Oh tell me! Coming back from hols is the worst, I'm always like where's my daily donut? This salad looks lovely!
Did I hear bacon? Then yes, I'm in on this salad!
A fantastic combination of flavours! I love it!
Love kale salads..this looks great..I've been massaging mine lately;)
I'm with you, it's always tough after a vacation. This salad sounds perfect for getting back on track. Love kale salads!
I love a simple kale salad and this one if perfect for lunch!
Haha – yes, calories don't count on holidays!
And – this salad sounds soo good -I mean it has bacon in it- that I forget it's also full of nutrition!
Mmm kale and bacon, great combination!
Hi Cathleen, love kale salad, I agree it's always hard to get back into the swing of things. Take care!
I'm not a fan of kale salads ( I don't care for it raw), but I love the idea of mixing it with hot ingredients to make it wilty.
Hi Cathleen,
This salad is awesome! I like the idea of eating healthy food.
Zoe
This sounds delicious, bacon makes everything taste great! I'd have never thought to add bacon drippings to the dressing. Will have to give it a bash next time.