Kale, Leek, Lettuce and Tomato Salad with Bacon Dressing

One of the reasons that I joined the Eating the Alphabet Challenge hosted by Brenda over at Meal Planning Magic was to force myself to try new veggies and fruits.  Since this month’s letters are K and L, I decided to combine kale and leeks with the ingredients of a B, L, T sandwich in a salad.

I am not sure that I am now on the kale bandwagon, but it was an interesting salad to eat.  I will be making the bacon dressing again to used with other salads.

I am listing the ingredients and amounts that I used for the salad.  As with most salads, of course, everything is adjustable.

Be sure to rinse the chopped leeks well to remove any dirt and grit.

Kale, Leek, Lettuce and Tomato Salad with Bacon Dressing
8 cups, chopped kale
4 c. chopped iceberg lettuce
1 medium leek, thinly sliced and centers chopped
20 grape tomatoes, quartered
20 pitted black olives, quartered
8 slices bacon
2 T. olive oil
1 T. vinegar
1/2 t. dry mustard
1/4 t. salt
1/2 T. sugar
1/4 t. pepper, coarse ground if possible
2 T.  bacon drippings
1/2 c. mayonnaise

Remove spines from kale leaves and roughly chop.  Place in a large bowl and add the iceberg lettuce, leeks, tomatoes and black olives.  Toss to blend.  Fry bacon slices until crisp.  Do this in more than one batch if necessary.  Pour drippings into a small bowl and reserve.  Combine olive oil, vinegar, dry mustard, salt, sugar and pepper and mix well.  Slowly stir in bacon drippings.  Stir in mayonnaise until well blended.  Pour over salad ingredients in a bowl and toss well.  Crumble bacon slices and mix into salad.  Serves 4 to 6.

You can join the Eating the Alphabet Challenge anytime.  All the details are here. 

Linking to these great parties:
Tasteful Tuesday
Show Me What You Got
Totally Tasty Tuesday
Tuesday Talent Show
Show Me What Ya Got
Take-a-Look Tuesday
Two cup Tuesday