Description
A vibrant and hearty Kale Caesar Salad featuring finely chopped Lacinato kale, crisp bacon croutons, freshly shaved parmesan, and a classic homemade Caesar dressing. This salad combines the robust texture of kale with savory bacon and crunchy homemade croutons for a delightful twist on the traditional Caesar.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 bunch Lacinato (dinosaur/tuscan) kale, stem removed and finely chopped
- ¼ cup freshly shaved parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp Classic Homemade Caesar Dressing
Bacon Croutons
- 6 pieces thick-cut bacon, cut into 1” pieces (or 3 tbsp unsalted butter as a substitute)
- 1½ cups bread, torn into smaller pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Kale: Remove the stems from the kale, rinse thoroughly, and dry well using a salad spinner or by patting with a towel. Slice the kale leaves into ¼ inch pieces and place them in a large bowl.
- Cook the Bacon Croutons: In a pan over medium heat, add the 1-inch bacon pieces and cook until crisp to your liking. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
- Toast the Bread in Bacon Fat: Using the same pan with the rendered bacon fat, add the torn bread pieces and toast them, stirring frequently until the bread is well toasted and browned, coating each piece with bacon fat. If you prefer no bacon, use unsalted butter instead to toast the bread.
- Dress and Massage the Kale: Pour the Classic Homemade Caesar Dressing over the kale. Using your hands, massage the dressing into the kale leaves until they begin to soften and wilt. Let the dressed kale rest for 5-10 minutes to absorb the flavors while preparing the bacon and croutons.
- Assemble the Salad: Transfer the dressed kale to a serving platter. Top with the crispy bacon pieces, bacon fat-coated croutons, and freshly shaved parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy alongside your favorite protein if desired.
Notes
- The kale should be massaged with dressing to reduce bitterness and soften its texture.
- Using Lacinato kale provides a tender, less bitter leaf ideal for this salad.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with unsalted butter when toasting the bread.
- Letting the salad sit after dressing helps flavors meld and the kale soften.
- Freshly shaved parmesan enhances the salad’s authentic Caesar flavor.
