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Kale, Candied Bacon & Roasted Beet Salad
PIN THIS RECIPE!Yayyyyyyy! Guess what? I leave for Portland tomorrow! I’ve been to Portland twice now. Once for a trip with my best friend Laura and the second time for book tour. And I want to go back now! So I’m grabbing my bestie again and we are heading back out for a little girls trip! Last time we stayed in the city, but this time we are meeting up with our friend Kyra from Kyra’s Bake Shop in Lake Oswego to stay with her and explore all over the place. Obviously, we plan on eating our faces off. Whenever Portland is on the agenda, food is at the top of the to do list.
But we have way more planned than we did last time around. This time we are hiking a few times, wandering around a few towns, shopping, taking a body attack class, going out for some country bar dancing, and then going to a friend’s gigantic food event! It’s going to be so awesome! I’m going to eat so many cinnamon rolls at Kyra’s Bake Shop! Like, so many.
I’m just so pumped to get away and spend quality time with the bestest. AND THEN, a few days after I get back from Portland, I go straight to Palm Springs with my sister in law for more girl time. We are going to pool so hard, cocktail so hard, eat so hard, and then maybe bike around. Gotta get our exercise in somehow! If you have any favorite places to eat or visit in Portland or Palm Springs, please leave your recommendations below! Visiting places that readers recommend is my favorite!
Guess what, guys? We are getting close to the end of our CSA/Farmer’s Market inspired Wednesdays. We said we would do it through July and August so only two more recipes after these ones! I’m so glad Lexi invited me to do this because it’s really pushed me to try more ingredients and see what I can do to really enjoy them. I rarely ever eat salads, raw kale or beets. Because I think all taste like sh*t. But I proved myself wrong by making a salad that is absolutely delicious and beets that taste SO good. I could barely stop myself from eating them directly off the baking sheet! You seriously have to try this salad!
And Lexi and Cassy did not disappoint either! Lexi has made this Italian-style Eggplant Lasagna Rollatini, which is a delicious way to use up all of those eggplants and all of that fresh basil you have growing! And Cassy used her artistic skills to create this Asian-inspired chilled crab and cucumber bowl! The tangy dressing is delicious and the generous sprinkle of Furikake on top makes the dish! Enjoy a higher carbohydrate version with white rice or just opt for a bed entirely of shaved cucumbers. No matter what recipe you try from ours this week, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with my how many veggies you’re eating without even knowing it! Check out their recipes below!
Kale, Candied Bacon & Roasted Beet Salad
- Yield: 3-4 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 3 tablespoons maple or coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 9 beets (3 red, 3 golden, 3 chioggia), peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons ghee, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt (I used Hepp’s Roasted Garlic Salt)
- 1 bundle kale, ribs removed and leaves thinly sliced (the thinner sliced, the better)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 2–4 ounces herb goat cheese (optional)
For the dressing
- juice of 1 1/2 lemons
- zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top and spray or grease with coconut oil. Place maple/coconut sugar and cinnamon in a dish and mix. Place strips of bacon in the sugar and completely coat then place on the cooling rack. Put in oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, until crispy. Keep an eye on it since oven temperatures can range. Once crispy, remove from oven and set aside.
- Turn oven temperature up to 400 degrees and line another baking sheet with foil. Brush each beet slice on both sides with melted ghee, place on baking sheet then sprinkle with garlic salt. Place in oven to bake for 15 minutes, flip to other side then bake for 15 more minutes.
- When the beets are almost done cooking, place thinly sliced kale in a large bowl. Place all ingredients for the dress in a jar and shake until completely combine. Pour dressing over kale and massage with your hands to completely coat the kale and help break it down.
- Chop bacon and top the salad with beets, bacon, almonds, and goat cheese!
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More Salads For Your Liking:
Fall Harvest Chopped Salad with Apple Maple Vinaigrette
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38 thoughts on “Kale, Candied Bacon & Roasted Beet Salad”
Ahh! Have so much fun in Portland and Palm Springs! We got married in PSP in 2014 and it was amazing! Where are you guys staying? We got married at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club which I highly recommend and then spent our mini-moon at the Parker which is unbelievable. The best coffee place is Koffi (there are a bunch in town, and one right across from the ACE!), and the best restaurants that we frequented were Cheeky’s for breakfast/brunch and Birba for pizzas on a beautiful patio. The restaurants at the hotels are great too. I’d recommend brunch/lunch at the Parker at Norma’s (make a reservation, probably, and definitely try the creme brûlée waffle!) The restaurant at the ACE, King’s Highway, has amazing food and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I think you can also get day pool passes to the ACE which is totally worth it if you want to try a different scene/pool! Drink all of the Desert Facials and Pimm’s Cups!! Have so much fun!! xx
★★★★★
The Parker is AWESOME. Their spa is incredible. And dinner at Mr Parker’s is still two of the best meals of my life (so good we went two nights in a row and STILL talk about it 8 years later, like our night at Departure). It’s been awhile, but I don’t imagine it changed.
Are these all paleo restaurants? Heading to Portland myself in early October
The restaurants named are in Palm Springs. Google Paleo in Portland and there are lots of options! Enjoy your visit!
Yay! The sneak peeks were making me really excited for the recipe. Looks delicious- especially the beets!
★★★★★
We went to Portland last month. Aside from some awesome sushi, the best meal I had was at Dick’s Kitchen. And Kyra’s is the best–I wrecked my blood sugar on a cupcake and a donut. Worth it.
If you’re hiking around Portland, check out Tunnel Falls. It’s about a 13 mile hike total but so, so beautiful!
This looks AMAZING! Long time reader-first time commenting! 🙂 I just decided last week to make myself a guinea pig and try the Whole30. I am a nutrition coach and trainer and while I have read about Whole30 and Paleo, I never tried the diets because I have always been in marathon training mode and eat #allthecarbs.
Recovering from hip surgery I figured now is the time to experiment before I begin racing next spring.
This salad (minus the cheese obviously) is a great way for me to add some variety to the meal plan.
Thanks for the inspiration!
★★★★★
I just got back from a week in Portland in July and managed to stay pretty clean! I didn’t make it to Kyra’s since it wasn’t in the city, but a few awesome places downtown if you make it are blossoming lotus (awesome vegan spot with great cocktails), salt and straw (the go to touristy ice cream spot), and chicken and guns (amazingly fresh food cart). Also- you have to visit the Columbia River Gorge for hiking and hit the Thunder Island Brewing Company afterward for good food, great gf (and strong) ciders, and insane views of the River. Have fun!
Hope you guys have some fun indoor activities planned to help escape the heat, can’t believe how hot it’s gonna be here!
Can’t wait to try this salad. I am not a beet fan, so am always interested in new ways to try them!
Will you please talk Kyra into shipping the cinnamon rolls again? Or please bring some back to CO!!
haha i’ll try my best!!
You may not be a huge salad fan, but damn you can make a beautiful one! I’ve never tried beets, I’m embarrassed to say, but I will be trying this, thanks!
I live just south of Portland and my boyfriend lives south of Palm Springs! Only two of, like, the best places ever. Just eat all the foods–I don’t know if it’s really possible to eat bad food up here. I fell in love with Kyra’s cupcakes a few years ago; SO GOOD. Have lots and lots of fun!! There is some gorgeous hiking down in the desert. Thursday night market is a ton of fun to go to in Palm Springs. Great people watching, which is basically my fave. I’m excited for you!
Hi Juli! I live 30 minutes outside of Portland and want to give you a little heads-up for your packing. We’re expecting a heat wave starting tomorrow, lasting until Monday. And I mean HEAT. WAVE. Like 101 on Saturday. We Pacific Northwesterners love our summers, but this is gonna be tough on us. Normally our “heat waves” mean anything above 80 😉 So much so that most of our houses don’t have A/C. So pack accordingly – like LOTS of shorts & such. As usual it should cool off at night. Because of course you never come to the PNW without a sweater…… {{sigh}} Have a great time!
I’m going to Portland tomorrow too (and from Denver as well)! I checked out your previous posts about the places you’ve eaten & will hopefully be trying out Tin Shed – looks fantastic! Hope you have a great trip – sounds like it’s going to be soo hot there this weekend!
it’s so bomb!!!!
Your husband isn’t your best friend?
lol no
Sounds like a fantastic trip. I’m heading to Portland in October and would love to know of any paleo restaurants and activities you recommend after your visit! Will definitely stop by the bakery! The recipes look great!
Hey Juli! For ice cream in Portland, you should definitely check out Fifty Licks. Just as tasty, fun, creative flavors, minus the crazy long wait like at Salt and Straw. Stump town coffee and Barista for yummy coffee. Have fun eating your way around Portland, best way to do it here. 🙂
i’ve heard of that! definitely want to try it!
Juli!! I was just reading the Eaton’s (the OLYMPIANS) blog and they use your recipes! How cool?! http://www.weareeaton.com/blog/2016/2/5/diet-in-a-day?rq=Healthy
They made your summer squash salad for dinner!
Hey Juli,
I’m across the bridge from Portland in Vancouver, WA. However, we love going to Olympia Provisions, they have delish lazer potatoes. They have 2 locations in Portland. Also, downtown Portland there is a food cart called Cultured Caveman. Hope you enjoy Portland!
Check out nom nom Paleo ‘s #nomnomeatsPDX for all the places she’s eaten + photos… Her insta is full of great food stops since they live part time in PDX. It’s my go to to find all the PDX gems.
Hey Juli! Portland is my home and holds a special place in my heart 🙂 Being gluten free – Kyra’s Bake Shop is one of my favorite! I love Lake Oswego but have always been used to everyone on the main street… but we found a HIDDEN GEM in Lake O a couple weeks ago! The restaurant is called Nicoletta’s Table and it’s in a random strip mall. Looks like NOTHING from the front, but once you walk in, it is GORGEOUS and it’s huge, with a beautiful patio out back! Let me know if you go… I was impressed! Also, if you want a fun workout, let me know… I’d love for you to visit ADAPT Training! It’s like a big playground 🙂
★★★★★
Hey Juli! The description for the Wilton cooling rack says it isn’t oven safe, and an employee at Bed Bath and Beyond told me the same thing when I was looking for a rack I liked. You don’t seem to have had any issues with it though, and I know you use it often. Do you keep it under a certain temp or have you been able to use it for everything without having problems?
nope, never had an issue with any of the racks i’ve used, including that one. but definitely find one that you are comfortable with using
Juli,
I swore that the next time you came to Portland, I would come see you talk! And here you come, but no appearance!!!! ???? Darn! Well, my favorite PDX restaurant is Le Pigeon on E Burnside. It’s hard to get a res because it’s so small, but if you’re there at 5 PM when they open, you’ll get seating at the bar which is the best because you can talk to the cooks. I’ll be there with a big party on Monday at 5:30. I hope you’re there!!!
Le Pigeon (amazing tasting menu)
Tasty and Alder,- most people go for brunch but was great for dinner too
Ken’s Artisan Pizza
Moonstruck Chocolates because chocolate and is in the super cool Alphabet district
Kenny and Zukes for THE BEST SALTED BAGEL EVER,
Smith Tea if you’re into tea and a cool tea tasting for a break from all the great wine
One of the coaches over at Crossfit Pearl told us the secret to skipping the long line at Salt and Straw is to walk in and buy a pint and you don’t have to wait in the serving line.
If you haven’t tried Teote on the east side of town you should definitely go there. It’s great Venezuelan food and all gluten free! we love their arepas, fried plantains and the chile salt rimmed margaritas!!!!
http://www.teotepdx.com/
Ohh this is awesome! I’m going to Portland in two weeks, can’t wait to check these places out. My vacation sounds exactly like yours will be…hiking fueled by cinnamon rolls, lol! Have a great time!
SO MANY CINNAMON ROLLS!!!
Hi Juli,
This looks amazing! I’ve been following you for years and I can’t help but notice your photography and food staging has been phenomenal lately!! Any chance of you possibly doing a post on this? You’ve improved so much I’d love to know more about what goes on behind the scenes.
Thanks!
Amber
I love your salads, Juli. I guess because they are all like, “F**k salads, just eat the good stuff.” Lol! I have made variations of your Fall Harvest salad tons of times, plus the peach/shrimp one and the chicken and strawberry salsa one. Love them! I have never been a salad as a meal person but love your salads and am obsessed with kale salads so I MUST try this one.
So even though you are not totally into salads, you gotta keep doing it. Take one for the team! Lol!
Great Paleo brunch at Eclectic Kitchen on NE Fremont in Portland. They have a paleo bowl that is to die for – I get it with a poached egg on top. There are also cashew flour biscuits among other paleo creations. Small, cozy, neighborhood spot.
What I loved about this recipe was that the recipe made enough for a few more easy meals on a busy weekend. Just pop the bacon in the oven, cross some stuff off my list, and in 20 minutes, Lunch! I didn’t sweeten the bacon because I don’t have a sweet tooth, and subbed pecans for the almonds because this Texas girl always has them on hand. Thank you for another winner!
★★★★★
A Portland trip?? I’m so jealous! SO many amazing restaurants! 🙂