Kale And Smoked Bacon Salad With Zinfandel Vinaigrette Food

RAW KALE SALAD WITH WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Lay the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat and cook to your desired crispness, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the drippings and leaving any crunchy bits in the skillet.
• While the bacon cooks, remove the stems from the kale and discard. Roll up the leaves lengthwise and slice crosswise into thin strips. Transfer to a large bowl; add the nuts, chickpeas and Parmesan.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add back 3 tablespoons of the reserved bacon drippings. (If you don't have 3 tablespoons, make up the difference with olive oil.) Add the shallots and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Whisk in the vinegar, brown sugar and mustard, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Remove the vinaigrette from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Chop the bacon and add it to the bowl. Drizzle in the warm dressing and toss to coat the salad. Serve immediately.

BACON-KALE SALAD WITH GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler; line a baking sheet with foil. Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain; reserve the drippings in the skillet.
• Meanwhile, puree 2 scallions, the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons vinegar and a generous pinch of salt and pepper in a blender.
• Stir the garlic into the bacon drippings. Spread out the bread slices on the prepared baking sheet. Top with the garlic mixture and season with salt and pepper (reserve the skillet). Broil until toasted, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Chop the kale and put in a large bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar and rub the kale with your fingers until it softens, about 3 minutes. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the remaining scallions. Pour over the kale and toss.
• Crumble the bacon into the salad. Add the cucumber and about 1/4 cup dressing. Toss well. Serve with the bread and the remaining dressing.

KALE & BACON SALAD WITH HONEY-HORSERADISH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• On a serving platter or individual plates, arrange kale and basil. Top with sprouts, bacon, cheese, avocado, egg and tomatoes., In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Drizzle over salad; serve immediately.