Shredded Kale Salad with Pancetta and Hard-Boiled Egg

December 15, 2014

Shredded Kale Salad with Pancetta and Hard-Boiled Egg



Every time I’m about to post a recipe with kale, I start thinking of things I could write in the post to convince you to give it a try.
It’s kinda weird, as I feel compelled to make a case for it.
Presenting some valid points, such as listing all the health benefits of kale or why the dish is delicious.
I even try to anticipate all issues you might have against this green veggie — such as “Kale is bitter”, “Kale is hard to chew”, “My hubby doesn’t like kale”, et cetera, et cetera.
It’s all in my head though. It’s not like you guys have ever given me a hard time for posting a recipe with kale.
To the contrary, I always get super positive responses when I post a recipe with kale.
Still, part of me feels the need to justify it.

Shredded Kale Salad with Pancetta and Hard-Boiled Egg



When I instead post a recipe for chocolate almond butter, chocolate chunk cookies, or avocado brownies I’m super chilled. I know for a fact that a recipe with chocolate is going to be a winner. I don’t the feel the need to advertise it.
It’s made with chocolate, and when people see chocolate and they’re always like “Yay, there’s chocolate!
I could just say “Look at this, it’s made with chocolate, looks good right? Now go make it!
Unfortunately kale doesn’t make you half as excited as chocolate does, hence the need to advertise it.

Shredded Kale Salad with Pancetta and Hard-Boiled Egg


Not today though, today I won’t say a thing.
Because I’m tired of telling you: Why you should eat kale. Why this dish is truly delicious. Why pancetta, hard-boiled eggs, and kale might be the next big thing. Why everyone - including the most kale-averse person - is going to love this. Why the balsamic reduction dressing works like a charm. Why this is super easy to make and it’s nutritionally complete. Why this is a very sophisticated salad that you could serve at your next dinner party. Why I love it so much I’m going to make tonight for dinner.
Wait? Why am I telling you all that?

Shredded Kale Salad with Pancetta and Hard-Boiled Egg
Shredded Kale Salad with Pancetta and Hard-Boiled Egg                        Print this recipe!
Adapted from Salad of the Day (Williams-Sonoma)

Ingredients
Serves 4

4 eggs
2 bunches of kale
1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
¼ lbs / 113 gr think-cut pancetta (or bacon), diced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
2 tablespoons red vinegar
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

Place the eggs in a saucepan just large enough to hold them. Add cold water to cover by a ½-inch. Bring to a gently boil over medium-high heat. When the eggs start rattling against the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat, cover with a lid, and let stand for 15 minutes.
When the eggs are through cooking, place the saucepan under cold running water for about 3 minutes, long enough to stop the cooking.
Peel the eggs, mince them and set aside.
Using a knife, strip the ribs from the kale, then roll the leaves up up and slice them thinly crosswise.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and cook the pancetta, turning occasionally, until nearly golden, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook until the garlic is golden, about 1 minute.
Using a slotted spoon transfer the pancetta and the garlic to a dish lined with paper towels to drain.
Add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to the frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Pour into a large bowl and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, the red vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Add the shredded kale and toss well to coat. Add the pancetta, garlic, 3 tablespoons of chopped parsley and black pepper and mix to combine.
Add minced eggs and gently fold them in.
Garnish the salad with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley and cayenne pepper (if using) and serve immediately.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 301 calories, 23 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbs, and 13 grams of protein.

19 comments:

  1. I was gonna make a kale and caramelized onion dish for Christmas dinner (yes, we are THAT weird family with loads of veggies to balance off the desserts on the table) - but I like your idea of adding pancetta! Thanks Mike!

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    1. I need to try this salad with caramelized onions, sounds like a great add-on!

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  2. Kale is gross.

    Just kidding, but I think it comes down to how it's prepped- I had a terrible kale salad once which was like chewing gum made in Iran (flavourless and gross). The fact that you add eggs and pancetta, it's already guarenteed gold.

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    1. Kale with pancetta and eggs is the best combo ever. You should totally try it!

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  3. Hi Mike, you never have to convince me, I love kale and this salad sounds wonderful!

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  4. I love kale salads! I rub the chopped kale leaves in the dressing to coat and rest for a while prior to eating, then add all my goodies. It just makes it a softer chew I feel. It is so good for you and how can one go wrong with pancetta and garlic - hello? Beautiful! #WolfpackEats

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    1. Everything tastes better when you add pancetta and garlic, right?

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  5. I know what you mean: just days ago an it alien friend asked me to explain what kale is and why I like it so much, and really if you don't get the chance to try it it just seems weird. Also weird explaining why I eat so much kale and how I never get tired of it - love this pairing btw, my typical kale lunch or dinner with eggs and bacon would also include some roasted nuts, and maybe a tad of french mustard... ;-)

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    1. Roasted nuts and French mustard sound like two great add-ons. I need to try 'em!

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  6. Mike, your kale is super safe with me.... but next time you gotta try the 'massaged kale" thing - it is amazing and it totally changes the texture - I guarantee that even a serious hard core kale hater will "see the light"

    :-)

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    1. I love massaged kale salad, especially when there's avocado. Sooooo good!

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  7. Yup, now I am convinced that I should have waited a bit longer on our kale that we grew this year. This salad looks crazy awesome, Mike! In other news, a friend was asking me the other day for suggestions for healthy, trendy recipes...guess whose site I recommended? That's right...yours! I also want to try massaging my kale. Sounds like fun. #WolfpackEats

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  8. Wait, so why should I eat kale? Bring on the chocolate recipes!!! Boooo!!!! Hahaha, just kidding. Kale rocks. And this salad is legit awesome! #wolfpacksupportskale

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  9. I think it can be easy to be prejudiced about any 'healthy' food when you've had bad experiences. Lucky for me I love everything kale, but if anyone needs convincing the pancetta in the title does all the selling/justifying for you! :)

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  10. Lol, I have to say I've never had a kale salad until recently when I tried the 'massaged' variety. I was one of those skeptics that never really dug the bitter taste on its own, BUT paired with the right dressing, kale is pretty damn good, and I bet that balsamic is super in here!

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  11. haters gonna hate is what I say. I am a huge HUGE kale fan. Cannot eat enough of it. Keep these awesome recipes coming.

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  12. You don't have to convince me at all, I LOVE kale, and especially raw kale in salads. And I feel so virtuous when I eat it!

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  13. funny, my husband loves kale! i usually add red onion and bacon. But he won't he collard greens or swiss chard. I think they are so similar. Ha, men.

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