Kale Salad with Warm "Bacon" Dressing - an updated and hearty plant based twist on that classic spinach salad - complete with a warm, smoky dressing!
We are officially in the high-speed wedding countdown. Nineteen days to go.
Thankfully, I am super calm and have been this whole time. I am detailed, but not stressing the details. It's all happening as it should and honestly, I am just nervous-cited about the whole thing. I am grateful to be calm.
I am grateful for our very dear friends. Over the weekend we had a party in our honor, a sort of engagement - shower celebration for both Jason and I, and all of our friends and family. My friend (and maid-man of honor) Johnny completely outdid himself, hosting a fun day with so much amazing food. I will have to share those photos in a separate post - everything was so very good.
So many friends and family were there to celebrate with us, which is just my favorite thing. I brought my karaoke machine, which is always a great time.
We are blessed with many good friends, and we cannot wait to celebrate with more in a few weeks. My heart is happy.
This salad.
I was never really a bacon fan, but one thing I used to love was a crisp cool salad with that warm smoky dressing. The one that uses bacon.
This is my version of that salad, using smoky paprika and liquid smoke. The brand I have is both vegan and gluten free, and it brings a great flavor to this salad. Add some perfectly ripe creamy avocado cubes, a pop of sweet from the dried cherries, and the hearty mushrooms - you have one tasty salad.
Kale Salad with Warm "Bacon" Dressing
YIELD: serves two
dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1 bunch kale, stems/ribs removed
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon tamari (gluten free soy sauce)
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 garlic clove, minced
5 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
½ avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed
handful dried cherries
INSTRUCTIONS:
To chiffonade the kale: wash thoroughly and pat dry. Remove tough ribs from each leaf, stack several leaves together and roll tightly. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice rolled kale into thin strips. Repeat with entire bunch of kale. Add kale chiffonade to a large salad bowl.
In saucepan over medium heat, melt coconut oil. Stir in tamari, liquid smoke, paprika and garlic clove. Add sliced mushrooms, saute in oil until just softened. Remove from heat. Pour warm 'bacon' dressing over kale, toss to coat. Top with avocado and cherries.
Seriously great flavors. I could eat this for breakfast right now.
Cassandrea at chewsandbrews.ca says
Wow! This salad looks amazing! It's going to be a side dish at my next BBQ for sure!!!
Kristina Sloggett says
awesome Cassandrea - enjoy!
Kelly @ TastingPage says
I have yet to try liquid smoke, and I have no idea why I haven't. Good to know they have a vegan and gluten free option. You just gave me reason to go get some and try this wonderful looking salad!
Kristina Sloggett says
yes! it is quite fun, and we use it a lot, surprisingly!
Kim - Liv Life says
I can't believe it's been almost a year since your wedding! Seems like it was just a few months ago. But I'm so glad you posted this... my son is home from college, and low and behold he has discovered kale! This one is going on our menu this week.
Kristina Sloggett says
ha! I KNOW - so crazy it has almost been a year. wow. great that your son likes the kale - enjoy this salad!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I love kale salads....I make at least one big batch a week, because they hold dressings so well...and truth be told, my daughter is constantly asking for them so its just easier to have them on hand.When I saw this one I had to stop by and check it out! I love that it has avocados too...I'm going to try this!
Kristina Sloggett says
exactly, Michelle - the kale is still "good" even the next day! pretty much the only green salad I'd make enough to have left overs of, ha! I love that your daughter requests kale - hope you all enjoy this salad!
Deanna segrave-Daly says
Oh my heaven - this is exactly what my body is craving right now after overindulging over the holidays (tho I may just need to add a few crumbles of bacon - forgive me?) *
Kristina Sloggett says
ha - okay Deanna, you're forgiven 😉 enjoy!!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I was never a bacon eater either, but do like tempeh bacon. Is that weird? Maybe it's texture more than anything. This looks amazing. And I'm so super excited for you!!! Glad you're not stressing out about it. It'll happen, it'll be awesome and you'll be married!
Heather @ FITaspire says
Ah - so close!!! Enjoy the last few days, the wedding goes by so fast!
Kristina Sloggett says
I know... so many fun events around the big day to enjoy, and then the day itself. we are excited, it is going to be a fun one! 😀
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
You were never a bacon fan?! I don't know if we can be friends. 😉
This looks delish... so I'll forgive you. I can't believe the big day is so close!
Kristina Sloggett says
SNORT, yep. I liked the flavor, but not the actual thing. but are you really surprised? I am the girl who flushed a whole hot dog down the toilet when I was 6. well, I tried... happy Monday to you! XO
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Hot dog... toilet... I can see where you'd make that connection.
Kristina Sloggett says
HA!