Pasta Salad With Kale Cheddar Apples Candied Pecans Food

DEB'S KALE SALAD WITH APPLE, CRANBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spread the pecans on a baking tray. Toast them until lightly golden and fragrant, about 5 to 10 minutes, tossing them once or twice to make sure they bake evenly. Remove the tray from the oven and set them aside to cool.
• Pull the kale leaves off from the tough stems and discard the stems. Use a chef's knife to chop the kale into small, bite-sized pieces. Transfer the kale to a big salad bowl. Sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt over the kale and massage the leaves with your hands by lightly scrunching big handfuls at a time, until the leaves are darker in color and fragrant.
• Thinly slice the radishes (this is easier to do if you first chop off the root end so you can place the base of the radish flat against your cutting board). Add them to the bowl.
• Coarsely chop the pecans and cranberries (or cherries) and add them to the bowl. Chop the apple into small, bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl as well. Crumble the goat cheese over the top.
• In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients together and pour the dressing over the salad. Toss until the salad is evenly coated with dressing. Serve immediately, or for even better flavor, let the salad marinate in the dressing for 10 to 20 minutes beforehand.

PASTA SALAD WITH KALE, CHEDDAR, APPLES & CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Cook penne to manufacturers instructions, taking care to liberally salt the cooking water!
• When pasta is done, drain and put into a large bowl to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, make dressing by putting all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until combined; set aside.
• To the slightly cooled pasta add chopped kale, cheddar, diced apple and cherry tomatoes. Toss everything with 3/4 of the dressing. At this point, cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
• If you feel like the salad needs more dressing, use more! Otherwise keep it for another use. Just before serving, top with candied pecans and serve.

RAW KALE SALAD WITH FETA, APPLES, AND PECANS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add pecans; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and sprinkle with stevia and chipotle powder; toss until well coated.
• Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Massage until leaves begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add diced apple and spiced pecans. Fold in feta cheese.

KALE SALAD WITH APPLES AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Combine the kale, almonds, apple and Cheddar in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, salt, garlic and olive oil. Add to the salad, and toss well. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top, and serve.

KALE AND APPLE SALAD WITH PANCETTA AND CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. In a bowl, cover the pecans with water. Transfer to a sieve and shake out the water. In another bowl, whisk the confectioners' sugar, cayenne and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Add the pecans and toss. Transfer to a sieve and shake off the excess coating. Arrange the pecans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the sugar is lightly caramelized and the pecans are golden.
• In a skillet, heat the oil with the pancetta and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the pancetta is browned, 6 minutes. Strain the pan drippings into a large bowl; whisk in the vinegar, caper brine and maple syrup and season the dressing with salt and black pepper. Add the apples, radicchio, kale, chives, tarragon and pecorino and toss. Mound the salad on plates, garnish with the pecans and pancetta and serve.