Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and Pecans

Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and Pecans

It seems that everyone is craving ‘Sweet and Salty’ these days so I decided to include the flavors in this salad and it was all that and more!  I saw a similar recipe on Food and Wine but it had too much sugar to consider it healthy so I’ve  lightened it up, changed the dressing and now we’ve got the perfect salad for the Christmas dinner menu.

This is very simple to make with kale, radicchio, apple, pecans, pancetta and dill.  It’s topped with an easy dressing featuring maple syrup that will have you smacking your lips.   If you’re not a fan of pecans, you can use hazelnuts and please promise me you’ll use pure maple syrup.  If you don’t have it, honey will work.  We all know kale is a super food and has become extremely popular all over the world.  If you have a garden, I would plan on planting some kale next summer because they are predicting a shortage so this way, you’ll be covered.

Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and Pecans

Did you know that kale is :

  • Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids to help protect against various cancers.
  • On its own, kale is a low calorie food that is high in fiber and has zero fat. Fun fact: one cup of kale leaves has only 36 calories, offers 5 grams of fiber, and 0 grams of fat. Because it’s a good source of fiber, kale is a great leafy vegetable for aiding in digestion and intestinal cleansing.
  • High in iron that’s good for proper liver function and per calorie, kale has more iron than beef!
  • Per calorie, kale offers more calcium than milk.
  • Kale is high in vitamin A – good for vision and skin. Vitamin C – helpful for your immune system, metabolism, and for hydration. Vitamin K – for protection against various cancers.

I’m convinced – what about you?  How often do you include kale in your diet?  Do you make kale chips? salads? Sautee it?  I’d love to hear what you do to make your diet healthier.  Let me know in the comments!  Cheers!

 

Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and Pecans | simply fresh dinners

 

Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and Pecans
Author: Robyn
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 small head of radicchio, shredded
  • 1 bunch of kale, shredded, discard stems
  • 2 apples of your choice (I chose tart ones), sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
  • 3 slices of pancetta, sliced thinly, cut away the fat
  • handful of fresh chives, chopped
  • Dressing
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup maple syurp
  • 1/4 white balsamic vinegar
  • 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Spray a small saucepan with olive oil and heat to medium high. Add slices of pancetta and cook until crispy – 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set pancetta on a plate with paper towel.
  2. Combine the radicchio, kale, apples pecans and chives in a large bowl. Toss while adding the dressing, little by little, until salad is well dressed. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with pancetta.

 

31 Comments

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    December 14, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    This looks divine, my friend! I have been craving salty-and-sweet and just this morning I told a friend she should bring a salty-and-sweet something to our Christmas program get-together 🙂

    Thank you for sharing such wonderful recipes – you’re a doll! Enjoy your week…the last week before Christmas! Yay 🙂

    Hugs to you!
    Stephanie recently posted…Who Is He In Yonder StallMy Profile

  • Reply
    Linda
    December 14, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    This salad looks wonderful Robyn. I like the idea of adding the apple, pancetta and pecans, especially with the addition of a light maple syrup dressing. I will add more kale to our diets. I need more help with fighting these nasty cancers I seem to be plagued with. Lots of love from W.W. xo

  • Reply
    cheri
    December 14, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    Love everything about this salad Robyn, looks like all my favorites together in one bowl. Happy Sunday to you! C.
    cheri recently posted…Festive Rosemary and Toasted Caraway ShortbreadMy Profile

  • Reply
    Gourmet Getaways
    December 15, 2014 at 3:27 am

    Wow, what a burst of flavours! Bitter, sweet, savoury, nutty! I will love to create this tasty salad, plus the health benefits!!!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx
    Gourmet Getaways recently posted…Christmas Detox Beetroot SaladMy Profile

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    December 15, 2014 at 6:59 am

    GOOD MORNING MY FRIEND! Late again…the holiday season is keeping me busy! But I must say that the combination of crunch here is my idea of bliss. Crunchy greens with nuts? YES YES YES. What a great way to give your mouth a feast by eating healthy greens.

    Stay warm where you are dear friend. Thank you for all the inspiration through the year! Anita

    • Reply
      Robyn
      December 15, 2014 at 6:20 pm

      I’ve been posting in the evening lately, Anita, so that’s why it seems you’re late, lol. You can come any time – I’m just thrilled you keep coming! Gotta have crunch – love it. Hope you’re enjoying your holiday season!
      Robyn recently posted…Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and PecansMy Profile

  • Reply
    Marie
    December 15, 2014 at 8:31 am

    This looks so good! Definitely real maple syrup for the dressing, and the pecans, and fruit… everything together is just yum. Beautiful photos too. Can’t wait to try it.
    Have a wonderful week, Robyn!
    Marie recently posted…Keeping Things in Balance (plus a giveaway!)My Profile

  • Reply
    Mindy
    December 15, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I love kale in salads and the combination of salty and sweet speaks to me : ) This looks to be the perfect combination of flavors and I can’t wait to try it. I planted kale in the garden last year and unfortunately “something” really liked it and kept eating holes in it. Toward the end of the season I tried some crunched up egg shells surrounding the plants and that seemed to help. I will have to do some more research for some organic options and try again with the shortage expected! Merry Christmas friend – looking forward to many new healthy and yummy recipes from you in 2015!
    Mindy recently posted…Giving Thanks FridayMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      December 15, 2014 at 6:24 pm

      Hi Mindy,

      I like the contrast in flavors as well. Don’t you just hate it when some little creature ruins your hard work? I know they need to eat too but it doesn’t have to be our veggies!
      Merry Christmas to you as well, dear friend. I’m glad your weather is settling down out there 🙂
      Robyn recently posted…Fresh Winter Kale Salad with Radicchio, Pancetta and PecansMy Profile

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    December 15, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    ROBYN! Good evening my friend! As I type, I am crunching on some Brazil nuts, but will soon have my broccoli and chicken with olive oil (I AM ADDICTED TO BROCCOLI- weird, huh!) – thank you for coming today to my post. It means so much to all of us to be validated by another person’s care to take the time to sit and read in the quiet, and to respond. Many heartfelt thanks, and I hope that you will be able to enjoy a perfectly lovely celebration with everyone you love.

    In the meantime, I have to figure out what to make for our Christmas dinner. It’s just me and my husband. Any suggestions for a holiday dinner for two?

    MUCH LOVE! Anita

  • Reply
    LindySez
    December 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Lovely looking salad Robyn, very healthy too. And yes to the maple syrup!
    LindySez recently posted…Beef Chipotle Chili with BeerMy Profile

  • Reply
    Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking
    December 16, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Oh this salad looks so delicious!! I think I might just have to make it for us this week. If you get a chance stop by blog I am having a giveaway of our all natural organic skincare products and I would love for you to enter.

  • Reply
    GiGi Eats
    December 16, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    Kale is such a hard veggie to LOVE but you do a very good job of converting those HATERS into lovers with this salad! 😉
    GiGi Eats recently posted…How To Find Love On The Streets Of Los AngelesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
    December 19, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    We love kale here and this is just gorgeous! I’ve been using kale in salads a lot lately! Thanks for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays! Pinning and sharing!
    Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…Holiday Starters at Foodie Fridays no 26My Profile

  • Reply
    Mary
    December 20, 2014 at 11:49 am

    Beautiful looking salad, and it’s sounds delicious. Radicchio is a brilliant companion with kale and looks nice. I love anything salty/sweet and especially healthy like this. Thank you for sharing it!

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Karly
    December 21, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    What a gorgeous and delicious salad! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
    Karly recently posted…Cheesy Broccoli and CauliflowerMy Profile

  • Reply
    Miz Helen
    December 21, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    A great winter salad, I love the kale. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very special Christmas week!
    Miz Helen
    Miz Helen recently posted…Whats For Dinner Next Week 12-21-14My Profile

  • Reply
    Bam's Kitchen
    December 22, 2014 at 5:43 am

    Wow your photos are amazing and the one I am posting on pinterest rocks! I also love something a little sweet and salty in my salads and your recipe has come in perfect timing for Christmas dinner.
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Panettone French Toast with Buttery Maple Cointreau SyrupMy Profile

  • Reply
    Marla
    December 26, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    I love the ingredients in this salad. Kale is one of the healthiest foods on earth. Thanks so much for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Have a healthy happy New Years. Pinned & Twitted.
    Marla recently posted…“6 Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating!”My Profile

  • Reply
    Marla
    January 1, 2015 at 8:59 am

    Hi Robyn,
    Just a note to let you know I choose your post of one of my features for this weeks Real Food Fridays blog hop that goes live tonight @ 7pm EST. Thank you for being part of Real Food Fridays and have a healthy happy New Year!
    Marla recently posted…“3 Ideas for DIY Organic Food Sources!”My Profile

  • Reply
    Debbie Harris
    January 7, 2015 at 11:34 pm

    Hi sweet friend!
    I saw you linked this to Stephanie’s party for which I was thrilled because I wanted the recipe again. I told a friend about this but accidentally threw the paper away that I wrote it out on.
    I pinned it so will go back and print it.
    Blessings, Debbie

  • Reply
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