Best Kale And Butternut Squash Salad With Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Recipes

BUTTERNUT AND KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• To prepare the butternut squash, cut off the top and bottom, then use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to remove the hard skin. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Slice the squash into sticks and then slice the sticks into cubes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small skillet or saucepan over low heat. Put the squash in a bowl and pour in the melted butter. Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper and toss to combine. Spread the squash out on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, shaking the baking sheet once or twice during roasting, until tender and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Put the pine nuts in a small skillet over low heat and slowly toast them, stirring, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set aside off heat.
• Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar and balsamic glaze to a mason jar, sprinkle in a little salt and pepper and shake to mix. Put the kale in a bowl and toss with enough dressing to lightly coat.
• Transfer the kale to a rectangular serving platter. Sprinkle over the squash, tuck pieces of prosciutto in among the kale, sprinkle over the pine nuts and top with Parmesan shavings.

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.

KALE SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CRANBERRIES AND PEPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Peel the squash, cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut the squash into 1/2-inch slices. Toss the squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Place in a single layer onto a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, or until the squash can be pierced by a knife. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• Slice the kale into bite-size pieces. In a small bowl, mix together the apple cider, cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons oil and maple syrup and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle a little of the dressing over the kale and gently rub the dressing over the leaves, by hand, to coat. Toss the kale with cranberries.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, pepitas, cinnamon, brown sugar and a dash of salt. Toast the pepitas in a shallow pan, just until they start to get tan and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
• Divide the squash and kale onto plates and top with the toasted pepitas.

AUTUMN BUTTERNUT AND KALE SALAD WITH MAPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Toss squash, onion, maple syrup, oil, thyme and black pepper in a large bowl. Place evenly on large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper; roast 30 minutes or until squash is tender and edges are starting to brown.
• Place kale in the same large bowl. Toss with hot, cooked squash and onions and set aside. Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together. Drizzle over salad and toss to combine. Sprinkle with cheese and pecans; serve immediately.