Description

This Autumn Kale Salad with Apples and Fried Goat Cheese is a vibrant, seasonal dish that combines hearty kale, crisp apples, and rich, crispy goat cheese discs fried to perfection. Enhanced with bacon, honey roasted pecans, and toasted pumpkin seeds, all tossed in a sweet and savory maple pumpkin dressing, this salad delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors for a comforting fall meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Goat Cheese Discs

11-ounce goat cheese log
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs (lightly beaten)
1 tablespoon water
¾ cup seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
Olive oil or Mediterranean blend oil (for frying)

Salad

6 cups loosely-packed kale, washed, ribs removed, torn into small pieces
2 crisp apples, washed and cut into slices
½ red onion, very thinly sliced
6 slices bacon, cut into 1/8-inch slices and crisped
½ cup honey roasted pecans
¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Dressing

Maple Pumpkin Dressing (refer to recipe linked separately)

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Instructions

Prepare the goat cheese discs: Slice the 11-ounce goat cheese log into approximately 8 discs. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with the all-purpose flour, one with the lightly beaten eggs mixed with 1 tablespoon of water, and one with the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs. Coat each goat cheese disc first in flour, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs to ensure an even, crispy crust upon frying.
Fry the goat cheese discs: Heat olive oil or Mediterranean blend oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, gently add the breaded goat cheese discs and fry them until golden brown and crispy on each side, approximately 2 minutes per side. Carefully remove the discs and drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil. Set aside and keep warm.
Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the torn kale, sliced apples, thinly sliced red onion, crisped bacon slices, honey roasted pecans, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Drizzle generously with the maple pumpkin dressing and toss well to evenly coat all ingredients. Finally, top the salad with the warm fried goat cheese discs just before serving to maintain their crispy texture.

Notes

Ensure the kale is well washed and the ribs removed to avoid tough bites.
If vegan or vegetarian, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or omit entirely.
The maple pumpkin dressing can be prepared in advance and refrigerated.
Frying the goat cheese discs just before serving helps retain their crispiness.
Use seasoned Panko breadcrumbs for extra flavor or add your own herbs and spices as desired.